Camille McEachnie
In addition to Tobago House of Assembly’s charity drive through the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to help St Vincent and the Grenadines, private Tobago organisations are doing their part to help.
Two such organisations are the Tobago Mission of the Seventh Day Adventists and the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP).
The Tobago Mission of the Seventh Day Adventists says they began their relief efforts one week ago and began sending supplies shortly after.
Other supplies are on the Port-of-Spain docks, waiting to be shipped, said Director of Tobago Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Wilfred Des Vignes.
He said different branches of Tobago’s SDA churches, the church’s media arm, and other businesses like Radio Tambrin have contributed “ immensely” to the cause.
He expressed gratitude at the outpouring of support, and the drive continues.
“The major things we are trying to get right now will be like water, toiletries, scrubs for the medical personnel at the hospital, underwear for both men and women, a limited amount of medication, like painkillers, he said.
He said the church, not ARDA collects cash and offers individuals the chance to send items directly to their loved ones in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Meanwhile, the PDP also has its charity drive, using the SDA’s transport to ship donations to the islands. The party said it began its charity drive on April 16.
The PDP’s area representative for Bethel/Mt Irvine Terance Baynes said the party is pleased with the public’s support.
Baynes said based on TEMA’s report, items still needed include sanitary napkins, toiletries, non-perishable items and water tanks.
He said the PDP already collected 100 cases of water in varying sizes and other items.
Items can be dropped off at the party’s port mall, Scarborough headquarters.
Items for the SDA can be dropped off at the nearby SDA church, opposite the Esplanade.