Category: Dominica

10/5/2017

Now That The Lights and Cameras Have Gone Home... Life On Dominica After Hurricane Maria

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The news cameras are now chasing the latest breaking story somewhere in the world. What's left are five to six island countries that bear the deep scars from the ravages of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. One island country was completely destroyed. Some of the others will need to rebuild their infrastructures, community support systems, and economies for years to come.

In that latter category desperately in need is Dominica who felt the brunt of Category 5 Hurricane Maria on September 18th. They weren't even back on their feet from Tropical Story Erika that hit the island in 2015. Now the need is greater than ever.

Today's show will help you assess what happened to Dominica and what 's being done to bring back its communities, housing stock, and the overall economy. Dominica is a different island nation from the Dominican Republic, but equally important when it comes to the cleanup efforts now underway. We'll talk to two leaders of the ex-pat community from Dominica to find out what happened and how you can help.

Today's Guests Are Pastor Cuthbert Joseph and his sister Helena Joseph who live in Boston, but are official representatives of their native Dominica. Pastor Joseph is the official Spokesperson and Consulate Appointee for Dominica's Relief Effort in Boston. Helena Joseph is the Marketing and Public Relations Committee Chair for the Relief Effort.

For more information, Visit www.bostonfordominica.org.

Click Here To Download The UN Report On Dominica

Dominica’s Recovery post Hurricane Maria

Introduction
The Commonwealth of Dominica is the largest and most northerly of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The island has an area of 790 square kilometres and has approximately 91 miles of coastline. Only 29 miles long and 16 miles wide, the island is situated on the inner volcanic arc of the Lesser Antilles and is the most mountainous of the Eastern Caribbean Islands.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is a middle income country with a population of 72,660 persons of mainly African descent (86.7% ) and the indigenous Kalinago people. (About 1000 Kalingo people live in Dominica. They are the last surviving indigenous people in the Caribbean.) There is an overwhelming concentration of the population along the entire coastline, particularly along the more hospitable West coast. Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 77.5 years and a per capita GDP of US$ 8,066.

Background
Dominica’s Economy has largely been agriculturally based, although over the past several years Tourism has risen in importance as a major income generator for the island. The Government of Dominica, through the Ministry of Health provides health services to the population through the one main tertiary hospital- the Princess Margaret Hospital located in the capital Roseau as well as through 52 health centers strategically located within the several villages around the island. Like every other nation, the escalating cost of health care and the ever-growing medical needs of the population have posed a serious challenge for the Ministry of Health in terms of financing and allocation of scarce resources.

Current Situation
The people of Dominica have experienced a catastrophic disaster no one imagined could unfold in our lifetime.

On September18, 2017 Hurricane Maria annihilated my homeland of Dominica. The category 5 hurricane showed absolutely no mercy to the island, causing widespread damage in every community, killing at least 70 people with several still missing, either washed away or buried under debris.

Indiscriminate in its destruction, the Category 5 storm with winds exceeding 160 miles per hour (mph) ripped off roofs and tore apart 95% all buildings including homes, hospitals and businesses. The destructive winds and heavy rains also caused severe flooding, wiped out roads and bridges, knocked down power lines and cut off water supplies and totally disabled the communications system.

The extent of the destruction is staggering – nearly every home was savagely hit, leaving countless families with young children homeless and in dire need of food and water and medical care.

The roof of the main hospital was torn away, the ICU was completely destroyed and patient care has been compromised. Even shelters were ripped off their foundations as their debris littered the island like confetti. Many communities are now unrecognizable.

Of major concern is the extensive damage to the infrastructure of our country and the subsequent homelessness. Our immediate relief efforts to assist Dominica in its recovery include donation drives, crowd funding and benefit events. With other news making headlines, we are concerned that those who can help us may forget about Dominica. This is why we are reaching out to you to help us spread the word about situation on the ground in Dominica.

ABOUT BOSTON FOR DOMINICA
Boston for Dominica is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts. It was created in 2015 by Dominicans and friends of Dominica working together to coordinate efforts in response to the devastation of Tropical Storm Erika. Our goal is to provide assistance regarding high priority needs for the people of Dominica, particularly after natural disasters.

The Dominica Ambassador to the UN has officially authorized Boston for Dominica to operate as the official relief entity in Boston, MA on behalf of the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Rosedelma Seraphin's Story
Family Narrowly Escapes Their Home In Dominica During Hurricane Maria

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9/3/2015

Helping The Island Of Dominica After Tropical Storm Erika’s Wrath

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Quick geography lesson. The Dominican Republic and Dominica are NOT one in the same. The Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispanola and is right next to Haiti. Dominica is a separate Caribbean island/country that was devastated by the wrath of tropical storm Erika on August 27th.

Dominica now lies tattered but unbowed, and needs your help. The storm caused severe flooding and mudslides and killed at least 20 people. More than 50 people are still missing.

A group of Dominican-Americans have now joined forces in an effort to help their native land, while working with the government to help rebuild shattered communities.

On today’s show we’ll talk with Pastor Cuthbert Joseph, the official spokesperson for Boston for Dominica who will discuss what happened last month and how we can help.

It’s a show where your compassion will be appreciated and welcomed.

About Dominica and How You Can Help

The Commonwealth of Dominica had a population of 72,301 at the 2014 Census. The capital is Roseau, located on the leeward side of the island.

Dominica was first discovered by the Spanish, then colonized by the French and British before finally obtaining independence in 1978. Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" for its unspoiled natural beauty. It is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, and is the home of many rare plants, animals, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall occurs inland. The island has 365 rivers. The Sisserou parrot(also known as the imperial amazon), is found only on Dominica and is the island's national bird. It is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture.

Christopher Columbus named the island after the day of the week on which he spotted it: Sunday (dies Dominica in Latin), 3 November 1493. In the hundred years following, Dominica remained isolated. It was inhabited by the Kalinago people (Island Caribs), and as European powers entered the region, more refugees settled there after being driven from surrounding islands, eventually driving the Spanish settlers away. France had a colony on Dominica for several years, importing African slaves to work on plantations, at which time the Antillean Creole language developed. France formally ceded possession of Dominica to Great Britain in 1763. Great Britain established a small colony on the island in 1805.

Britain abolished slavery throughout the British Empire in 1834. By 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a legislature controlled by an ethnic African majority. In 1896, the United Kingdom took governmental control of Dominica, turning it into a Crown colony. More than half a century later, from 1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation. On 3 November 1978, Dominica became an independent nation and almost immediately, a republic, as the Queen is not the head of state.
(Source: Wikipedia)

How You Can Help Dominica Following Tropical Storm Erika
Information About Dominica’s Relief Effort:

What Is Boston For Dominica?

A group of Dominicans living in Massachusetts met on Sunday night (August 23, 2015) to discuss ways we can combine our efforts to help raise funds for Dominica. We established a relief committee called Boston for Dominica in collaboration with Dominica Heritage Society of New England to mobilize and consolidate donations, solicitation efforts to organizations, corporations, businesses and individuals throughout New England.

The key items needed include: canned goods, water and medical supplies. Please find enclosed, a “Priority List” and of specific items and medical supplies urgently needed. No item is too small. Every contribution counts. All items donated will be shipped directly to the Government of Dominica.

Drop off locations:

We have two main drop-off locations

1.     Faith Christian Church, 301 Harvard Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

Contact: Pastor Cuthbert Joseph 617-416-0048

2.     Princess Hair Palace, 1876 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 0212

Main Contact persons:

For information about Boston For Dominica relief effort, please contact Terri-Anne Bynoe, President, at 940-224 -3751 or BostonforDominica@gmail.com

For Financial Contributions please contact:
Treasurer: Jean Etienne at 781-454-7544 or jetienne@sambookolo.com

For regular updates, please go and "like" our Facebook Page at:
https://www.facebook.com/BostonForDominica

How To Donate?

We are focusing on the priority lists published by the Government of Dominica (http://www.opm.gov.dm/); these include medical supplies, canned goods, water, blankets, others (http://www.opm.gov.dm/?p=1091; http://www.opm.gov.dm/?p=1088)

We are asking all donations to Beware of potential donation scams.” The donations options listed below are trusted and verified. They are the official donations options available with account numbers and swift codes for WIRE TRANSFER. Please verify account numbers

Official Government Donation Options

The Government has also endorsed these two GoFundMe pages. GoFundMe (Credit Card) Option Endorsed by the Government of Dominica. (http://www.opm.gov.dm/?p=1106)

1.     T.S. Erika Relief Fund for Dominica

2.     Dominica-TS Erika Disaster Relief

Bank Wire Transfer Options

Information From (http://www.opm.gov.dm/?p=1058)

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has established an account at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to receive contributions in support of its recovery and reconstruction efforts following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

The account details are as follows based on currency of donation:

For United States Dollars (USD) Donations

Federal Reserve Bank (NY)
SWIFT: FRNYUS33
ECCB’s account number at the FED: 021083695
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

For British Pound Sterling (GBP) Donations

Bank of England
SWIFT: BKENGB2L
ECCB’s account number at Bank of England: 40920003
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

For EURO Donations

Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Favour: Crown Agents Bank
SWIFT: CRASGB2L
Account No: 9608217
IBAN: DE35500700100960821700
ECCB’s Account Number at Crown Agents: 33792403
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

For Canadian Dollars (CAD) Donations

Bank of Canada
SWIFT: BCANCAW2
ECCB’s account number at Bank of Canada: 30641-1
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

For Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) Donations

ECCB: ECCBKNSK
Government of Dominica BIC code GVDMDMDM
For Government of Dominica call account 310301005

Government of Dominica Development Aid Account
Account Number. 11500272
National Bank of Dominica
64 Hillsborough Street
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica

SWIFT CODE NCDMDMDM

Info about the storm:

The Commonwealth of Dominica was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Erika on Thursday, August 27, 2015. As a consequence, the island experienced continuous rainfall measuring 10 inches over a 6-hour period.

This resulted in cresting of rivers and ravines, and extensive damage causing loss of life and displacement of hundreds of residents. There was also severe damage to our infrastructure: the Douglas-Charles Airport, the road networks, electricity, water, and telecommunication services were affected.

The Government of Dominica and its regional and International partners, public and private sector and civil society, are fully engaged in the immediate response and on-going recovery efforts.

After broad consultation and advice from the Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management, the government has declared the following locations as Special Disaster Areas:

1.     Bath Estate (Paradise Valley)

2.     Dubique

3.     Petite Savanne

4.     Campbell

5.     Coulibistrie

6.     Pichelin

7.     Petite Soufriere

8.     Good Hope

9.     San Sauveur

This declaration was deemed necessary in light of the severity in the loss of life and damage to property and the need for focused response, rehabilitation, and recovery.

What is needed?

*PLEASE CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON ALL FOODS AND MEDICINES. PLEASE DO NOT SEND FOOD/MEDICINE THAT HAS EXPIRED DATES.

Food and Medicine ·

Clean containers for water

·       At least 5 gallons of water per person (which should be enough to last 3 to 5 days)

·       A 3 to 5 day supply of food that doesn’t go bad (like canned food such as Vienna Sausage, corned beef, tuna etc.)

Baby food or formula

Prescription medicines

Gently Used Clothing--FOR A WARM CLIMATE!!!

canned tuna
canned chicken
canned beef stews
canned salmon
bean soups
canned or dried beans
baked beans
canned chili
peanut butter
canned nuts
infant formula
nonfat dry milk
evaporated milk
instant breakfast drinks
shelf-stable (UHT) milk (small boxes)*
rice and rice mixes
canned pastas
noodle mixes
dry noodles and pastas
macaroni and cheese mix
cold cereals
bran cereal
shredded wheat
infant cereal
hot cereal mixes
oatmeal
bread, muffin, and pancake mixes
whole-grain crackers
granola bars, power bars, energy bars
graham crackers
flour

*Multivitamins

**CAN OPENER***

Safety Items

First aid kit and instructions

Battery-powered radio

Flashlights

Extra batteries

Sleeping bags or extra blankets

Supplies to make drinking water safe (like iodine tablets or chlorine bleach)

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Now That The Lights and Cameras Have Gone Home... Life On Dominica After Hurricane Maria

Dominica’s Recovery post Hurricane Maria

Helping The Island Of Dominica After Tropical Storm Erika’s Wrath

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