Clothes, water, medical supplies and non-perishable food needed
The island of Dominica is still reeling from the blow it took from Hurricane Erika, which devastated the eastern Caribbean island on Wednesday, August 26.
Once Erika moved on and sunshine returned to Dominica, the damage to the island, especially to its infrastructure, and the death toll were revealed. At least 20 people were killed and 31 are still missing, according to authorities.
“This is a period of national tragedy,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas said. “Floods swamped villages, destroyed homes and wiped out roads. Some communities are no longer recognizable.”
The prime minister painted a bleak picture of conditions on the island, saying, “The extent of the devastation is monumental. It is far worse than expected… Hundreds of homes, bridges and roads have been destroyed… We have, in essence, to rebuild Dominica.”
It is against this backdrop of devastation that the Dominican Diaspora continues reach out to communities for contributions of all kinds – food and materiel – to assist in the rebuilding process.
Among things urgently needed are children and adult clothing; school supplies; toiletries; bottled water; non-perishable foods medical supplies (including masks, gloves, etc.); cleaning supplies, disinfectants, garbage bags, etc.; bedding, sheets and mattresses.
Donations can be dropped off at the following points:
Brossard Bagel, 8265 Taschereau Blvd. West, (between Pelletier & Napoleon, beside Pizza Hut), 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
Ville LaSalle, 1389 John F. Kennedy (from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m).
514-367-3672 Fredrika. Jamaica Association of Montreal, 4065 Jean Talon West (between Victoria Ave. & Cote des Neiges Rd.). 514-737-8229 (from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm).
