CARICOM must equip itself to lead the charge in responding to the plight of countries within the grouping when national disasters strike, rather than waiting for the international response.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr Clarence Henry, was emphatic about this yesterday, telling a news conference that CARICOM, the individual sovereign states and all the institutions of CARICOM “must fashion a new discussion and a new methodology to deal with the challenges posed by disasters”.
On a brief visit to Barbados for meetings with representatives of Barbados-based international organisations, he thanked the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association and the Barbados International Business Association for the collaborative relief effort by the three organisations following the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma.
As a result of appeals launched by the three groups between September 9 and Sunday, two 40-foot containers of supplies, including water, baby products, toiletries, canned goods, building supplies and a generator, will be shipped to the National Office of Disaster Services in St John’s, Antigua, today. (GC)
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