Grenada Red Cross opens new headquarters

The Grenada Red Cross recently opened its new headquarters and warehouse after it was completely destroyed by hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Ivan, one of the worst hurricanes in living memory battered the tiny island of Grenada in 2004 and devastated 90 percent of the country’s infrastructure.

It also claimed the lives of at least 12 people and caused hundreds of million of dollars in damage. As if that was not enough, less than a year later hurricane Emily passed through Grenada, hampering slowly recovering communities and further destroying some of the work done after Ivan.

But this did not deter the Grenada Red Cross from achieving its goal of rebuilding its headquarters. And so with the help of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), the Spanish and the American Red Cross, the new headquarters was built.

Mr Terry Charles, director general of the Grenada Red Cross said the new office opening was indeed a memorable occasion mainly because it was “a good that came out from a bad.” “This is such an ideal occasion to open our new offices, because this year we also celebrate our 50th anniversary.”

The new Red Cross headquarters stands proudly in St George’s, Grenada looking over the island, and even though there is still some sign that the country has not fully recovered from the last two hurricanes, it is a symbol that in time everything will return to the way it was.

Ms Marta Jordana, of the Spanish Red Cross who officially opened the building said it was a great pleasure working with the Grenada Red Cross in rebuilding their headquarters.

She said the process was a long one, but now everyone can see the end result. “What we see here today is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication.

The Grenada Red Cross needs to be praised for continuing their relief efforts even through they had no facilities to do their job.”

Ms Allison Ali of the International Federation said in 2004, the world’s attention was focused on the Caribbean as a series of storms and intense hurricanes swept through, destroying much in their path.

She said the Grenada Red Cross worked diligently to bring relief to the most vulnerable, aided and supported by its sister National Societies throughout the world in both the disaster and recovery phases for both Ivan and Emily.

She also recognized the contributions of the Spanish Red Cross for rebuilding the headquarters and the American Red Cross for the construction and stocking of the warehouse.