Relief Organization Created to Rebuild Dominica in Wake of Storm Devastation
A committee of volunteers has come together in the Washington, DC, area to coordinate relief efforts for the island nation of Dominica, which was devastated by a direct hit from Tropical Storm Erika last week.
Temple Hills, Maryland, August 31, 2015 (Newswire.com) - On Saturday, August 29, 2015, a new relief organization was founded by those in the Dominica Diaspora in the Washington, D.C., area.
The mission of “Rebuild Dominica,” a team made up of Caribbean and American volunteers, is to mobilize teams for short, medium and long term relief and restoration efforts, starting with basic supplies: food, water and clothing.
"The mission of 'Rebuild Dominica,' a team made up of Caribbean and American volunteers, is to mobilize teams for short, medium and long term relief and restoration efforts, starting with basic supplies: food, water and clothing."
Adella Toulon-Foerster, Spokesperson, Rebuild Dominica
According to reports, Tropical Storm Erika pummeled Dominica with over a foot of rain, causing major landslides and island-wide flooding. There are 20 confirmed dead, with approximately 35 individuals unaccounted for. Over 60% of the nation remains without electricity and water. Multiple villages remain inaccessible due to the extensive damage to Dominica’s infrastructure. Petite Savanne, the worst hit village, is only accessible by helicopter. Local resident Barbara Butler described the scene as “Horrible! I have never seen anything like this in my country. Entire families are missing!”
We are appealing to everyone to please help in any way you can. If you are able, please make a monetary donation. 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. The account details are as follows:
United States Dollars (USD)
Federal Reserve Bank (NY)
SWIFT: FRNYUS33
ECCB’s account number at the FED: 021083695
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and are able to make a donation of clothing, medical supplies, household goods, and toiletries, the Rebuild Dominica organization has a donation repository at:
Evangel Assembly of God
5900 Old Branch Avenue
Temple Hills, MD 20748
The fabric of Dominica was ripped apart, and recovering from this tragedy will be no simple matter, but Chairperson Gabriel Christian expressed that “the coming together of Dominicans, Americans and other Caribbean islanders is a fantastic show of solidarity with Dominica. The energy to rebuild Dominica even better and stronger was electric. We want our people and government to know that help is coming.”
More information about the new organization is available on its web site at
http://RebuildDominica.org, through the Twitter handle @RebuildDominica, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/RebuildDominica/.