Relief efforts are being organized and coordinated on St. Croix to send supplies to people of Dominica who were hit with devastation and destruction in Tropical Storm Erika last week.
Representatives from Dominica United Cultural Group held a media conference regarding that island’s emergency response on Tuesday at St. Croix Rescue Academy.
Marcellin Lockhart, coordinator of relief for Dominica United Cultural Group, said the island was hit hard and lost infrastructure leaving people in a desperate situation.
He said over-the-counter medical supplies are needed immediately and people can drop those off at the Humming Bird Airline counter at the airports on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
There will be 20-foot containers located at Plaza Extra East at the United Shopping Plaza and Kmart West at the Sunshine Mall, Lockhart said, and volunteers at drop-off locations will begin accepting donations Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until the trailers are full.
Accepted items include bottled water, over-the-counter medical supplies, nonperishable food items, disposable diapers, bedding supplies, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, batteries, Ensure, clothing, feminine hygiene products, and men’s, women’s and children’s undergarments. Rotary Club members also will accept monetary donations at the trailers.
Liz Goggins, Rotary Club member and St. Croix Rescue public information officer, said people may donate items they think people need to use on a daily basis such as garbage bags, rubber gloves and household cleaning products. Goggins added the Rotary Clubs of Dominica will be organizing and coordinating relief on Dominica.
V.I. Fire Services will hold boot drives Saturday at the intersections in Hannah’s Rest in Frederiksted, Sunny Isle, Basin Triangle, and the Christiansted by-pass intersection in Gallows Bay.
ViVid Streaming will be collecting monetary donations at the St. Croix Horse Racing Track during the races on Sunday.
Jason Henry, from Frederiksted Health Center, said the clinic has provided medical supplies. Henry added the relief efforts will be a long-term mission on a weekly and monthly basis.
Cherene Williams-Walters, president of St. Croix Motorcycle Club, said she has reached out to Home Depot, Cost-U-Less and Plaza Extra for donations. She can be reached at 340-690-5909 to arrange a pickup of donations.
The St. Croix Motorcycle Club, Dominica United Cultural Group, JKC Communications, Rotary Clubs of St. Croix, V.I. Counseling Association, St. Croix Rescue, Tropical Shipping, Humming Bird Airlines and a number of individuals make up the task force coordinating the relief efforts. Bohlke International Airlines and Seaborne Airlines will also be flying donations to Dominica.
People can call Lockhart at 340-514-4124 or Goggins at 340-771-4420 to get more information about donating to the victims of Erika.
According to “Newsweek” magazine more than 12.64 inches of rain fell in 12 hours on the island. Around 20,000 people were affected by the tropical storm that caused mudslides and flooding and destroyed roads, bridges, homes and businesses. More than 20 people died because of the torrential rain and dozens are missing.
