A LARGE number of generators and building supplies were the latest aid donations received by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government this week.
The Haitian government donated 630 generators, 1,000 sheets of plywood, 4,500 tarps, 2,000 sheet rocks and 4,000 metal roof sheets.
The donation arrived in Providenciales on October 30, direct from Port au Prince, Haiti.
Haitian consulate Adolphe Jacques commented on the donation, stating that the Haitian government was committed to providing assistance to neighbouring Caribbean countries.
“After the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria that caused a lot of damage to the TCI, in the spirit of solidarity and fraternity, the Haitian government on behalf of the people of Haiti decided to grant an aid relief consisting of building materials,” he said.
“It is a simple gesture of support to our neighbour, the TCI, where so many of our compatriots reside and even consider this ‘beautiful by nature’ as their second home.”
Coordinator of the initiative Stan Wojewodzki said that his vision was to see Caribbean countries unite and help each other in their times of need.
He explained how the donation was made possible.
“I am currently an advisor to the Haitian presidency, but first and foremost, I am a resident of the Turks and Caicos and I have invested interest in seeing that the Turks and Caicos gets back on its feet immediately after the hurricanes.
“After both hurricanes, I contacted senior authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to ask exactly what was needed in immediate relief aid.
“The Department of Disaster Management and Emergency Services submitted a list of essentials which I then submitted to the Haitian presidency and suggested that Haiti show a gesture of good will and fraternity to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
He added that time for relief was soon closing, so all that can be done should be done, at a Government level, for those communities that are most in need.
But at some point leaders need to sit down and think about what those 21 century policies are going to be, in terms of construction and interregional trade, he said.
By Daisy Handfield for Turks and Caicos Weekly News | November 6, 2017
