Caribbean Red Cross

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T&T Red Cross Society assists in flood relief

Harmony Hall resident Lochai Roopchan after he received a hamper and clean up kit from the Red Cross.

On August 1^st and 2^nd torrential rainfall caused widespread flooding in central and southern Trinidad. The towns of Marabella, Gasparillo, Williamsville, Cocoyea, Claxton Bay and Freeport were the most affected. It is estimated that over 500 homes were damaged.

The Southern Branch sprang into action as soon as they were made aware of the situation. There was a coordinated effort by Rishi Siew Disaster Officer and Andrew Salvador Disaster Director of the Southern Branch to provide relief to those most in need. They distributed mattresses, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, food hampers, clothing and bedding. This was a tremendous help for victims of the flood.

St Lucia Red Cross Volunteer Profile July - Cyril Edward

Thirteen years ago Cyril Edward joined the St Lucia Red Cross. A prison officer by profession, Cyril remembers, what motivated him to become a member of the St Lucia Red Cross. According to Cyril, “About 1997, a colleague of mine lost her daughter. She had swallowed an ackee seed near the General Post Office, and nobody knew what to do to save her. I grew up all my life with ackees around me, I have a big tree by my home and after that happened I decided that nobody near me would die from an ackee seed choking them and I would not be able to help.”

Grenada Red Cross Volunteer Profile July - Carrigon Copin

Carrigon Copin

At the age of 14, Carrigon became the only youth in the Corinth Adult Red Cross group; there he started volunteering with the Grenada Red Cross Society. Volunteering for the past 11 years, Mr. Coppin states, “I would keep volunteering because it is a good way of utilizing what would have been free time while giving to the community and improving the lives of other individuals at the same time gaining self-development.”

Over the years he has received training in many areas including: Disaster Preparedness, Mass casualty management, First responder and First Aid. He has since used his training at every opportunity given, to date he has trained over 400 persons in First Aid and during operation Ivan provided psychosocial support to children.

Grenada Red Cross Volunteer Profile July - Preston Andrew

Preston Andrew

Preston Andrew (20), from Grand Roy, St. John’s started volunteering with the Grenada Red Cross Society at the age of 10. Laughing at the memory he shared how he became a volunteer. “My brother was in Red Cross and he no longer wanted to be a part. My mother was about to throw away his shirt and I said, “Gimme his shirt lemme go and join Red Cross”, that’s how I started volunteering.”

Suriname Hosts National Stakeholders Workshop

SRC is hosting a National Stakeholders Workshop on Wednesday, July 21^st. In this workshop “SRC aims to inform the stakeholders, who are active in the communities where SRC works, about the ECHO 7 related activities”, says Humphrey Blinker, Project Coordinator.