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BVI Red Cross approves first 855 applicants for $$ under Assistance Programme

- Gov't welcomed the programme through the Ministry of Health & Social Development
The BVI Red Cross has announced that some 855 families who were evaluated as being in most “dire circumstances”, consequent of the two hurricanes of September 2017, Irma and Maria, will be given monetary relief to as much as $1,200. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Director of the BVI Red Cross, Helen E. Frett, providing financial assistance gives families the opportunity to meet the unique needs of their households. Photo: Youtube
According to the Director of the BVI Red Cross, Helen E. Frett, providing financial assistance gives families the opportunity to meet the unique needs of their households. Photo: Youtube
A total of 1776 households in the Virgin Islands registered from October 18 to 28, 2017 and were ranked based on factors such as household income, housing damage and post-hurricane living situation. Photo: VINO/File
A total of 1776 households in the Virgin Islands registered from October 18 to 28, 2017 and were ranked based on factors such as household income, housing damage and post-hurricane living situation. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the two Category 5 Hurricanes in September 2017, Irma and Maria, that left the Virgin Islands’ destroyed, the aftermath being death, homelessness, and panic in the streets for food and gasoline, many persons have raised concerns about the transparency of aids being funnelled through the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.

The public in general prefer that all international aid funds be sent to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) as they do not trust the current government.

One Non-Governmental Organisation that is trusted in the British Overseas Territory is the BVI Red Cross. The NGO has a financial assistance programme, which is being implemented along with Caritas Antilles with financial support from UKAID, British Red Cross, Caritas Antilles and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to provide financial help to vulnerable households, which met the eligibility criteria.

The initiative is part of the “Household Assistance Programme announced in October 2017 by Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) following a Rapid Household Needs Assessment conducted by the Social Development Department after Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” according to a government press release.

Good work by BVI Red Cross

A total of 1776 households registered from October 18 to 28, 2017 and were ranked based on factors such as household income, housing damage and post-hurricane living situation. According to Government, a “priority was given to larger households; single-parent families; households with persons with disabilities or severe health issues; families with children under five and persons over the age of 65 with no support.”

Director of the BVI Red Cross, Helen E. Frett explained in the Government statement that cash-based assistance is a common practice in emergency operations around the world. “Providing financial assistance gives families the opportunity to meet the unique needs of their households; they can buy what is best for them and is most urgently needed. Every level of the economy can benefit from such assistance,” she told the Government Information Services.

Speaking exclusively to our newsroom today December 5, 2017 Ms Frett said, “none of the money came from government, it was all private sector or NGO donated.”

Beneficiaries can expect to receive payments of between $800 and $1,200 per month for up to three months depending on the household situation.

Ministry of Social Development pleased with work

At the conclusion of the verification process, the total number of households to be assisted will be 1,050, according to a government spokeswoman, Adrianna J. Soverall.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Petrona N. Davies said she is pleased that the programme is at the stage where the first payments have been processed to relieve the financial burden on families, especially during this time of the year. She hailed the effective partnership between Government and the voluntary sector and invited other donors to collaborate with the Government to help families in need.

Other NGOs on the Sister Islands of Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke have also being providing assistance and have come in for high praises.

12 Responses to “BVI Red Cross approves first 855 applicants for $$ under Assistance Programme”

  • 1 (05/12/2017, 13:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    good work red cross
  • Roatry (05/12/2017, 13:06) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    good idea to have all aid going through NGO.

    We will not have the politics that we have going on now or even government workers looking out for their friends and family
  • HMMM (05/12/2017, 15:32) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    you all help all the expats them...over heard a lady brag how she get xyz a month from red cross. a married lady both spouse working and from the island...

    wake up bvi help the locals to
    • hm (06/12/2017, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Woah..I think I found the little girl from Morton..after all these years still a salty b..lol..If you want help darling go get it...you not entitled to it so get up and go ask for support..with people like you who needs bitter bush...just come on and read a comment..enough to turn your stomach and make you wonder if mandkind really this bad..Can you blame other races for feeling better when we treat outsiders like they are a different kind?.. what about some of us who are from here , but want to abuse the program?..I don't even know why I'm mad...If Irma couldnt teach us, we will never learn.
  • plz (05/12/2017, 17:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I miss this .. can I sign up plz I'm a single mother, how do I sign plz and where ??
  • weed (05/12/2017, 17:40) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    need to see the list of all who got cash mehson
  • Street reporter (05/12/2017, 19:28) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Ronnie is a wize leader, Choosing Red Cross over DDM to execte this program.. Red Cross will do a Far better and transparent Job than DDM. Good move Ronnie... With Red cross things happening..
    • @Street Reporter (06/12/2017, 00:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ronnie had nothing to do with this. Red Cross is an independent body from Government.
  • tola (07/12/2017, 19:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes thank God it wasnt in government hands. The way they treat people on that field. The workers in red cross doing great job to the public keep it up.
  • tola (07/12/2017, 20:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good news I never know off this can I sigh up plz I know its ruff out here but i lost my job an my house an everything but i still have my kids an am still alive an well got to give God thanks
  • British (07/12/2017, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I never know about this can I still sigh up am a single mother not working Caz my job get mash up in the hurrican irma


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