Montserrat Red Cross opens new headquarters

The Montserrat Red Cross officially opened its new headquarters in Brades, Montserrat on Monday March 1, 2004.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Richard J Aspin, vice-president of the Montserrat Red Cross in the spacious auditorium of the new headquarters. Gerald Price, director general of the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross delivered greetings from his National Society and also congratulated members of the Montserrat branch of the British Red Cross for completing their new three story building.

Lystra Osborne, president of the Montserrat Red Cross paid recognition to the distinguished guests at the ceremony and made a particular welcome to Price, who she said crossed the rough seas on the Montserrat ferry to be present at the function.
Osborne said the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross is the door of the Montserrat Red Cross to the world. She detailed the close relationship between the Montserrat Red Cross and the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross beginning from the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and through the destruction of several volcanic eruptions which took more than 20 lives and caused 50 percent of the population to evacuate.

The Montserrat Red Cross headquarters was officially declared open by Idabelle Mea de, Minister of Education, Health and Community Services who said the government of Montserrat recognizes the good work of the Montserrat Red Cross and will continue to work with the Red Cross in the interest of the people of Montserrat.

Osborne said the Montserrat Red Cross is soliciting assistance from the public to pay off loans for the building.