Support For Dominica
Last Thursday as many of the territories residents prepared for a tropical storm that would give us much needed rain and some winds residents of Dominica struggled to survive what many would agree was a devastating tragedy. Images and videos that have surfaced on the internet have lead to a mass, and much needed relief effort for the residents of Dominica and the multiple disaster areas that have been declared such by the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The areas Paradise Valley in Bath Estate, Petite Soufriere, Good Hope, Dubique, Petite Savanne, Pichelin, Coulibistrie, Campbell and San Sauveur were declared disaster areas after a need for focused response was recognized by leaders ( Dominica News Online, 2012). Our territory's own, Governor Mapp, expressed his deepest sympathies of Virgin Islanders to the families in Dominica who have lost loved ones, and to friends and family members with close ties to that island now residing in the territory (Gilbert, 2015).
Many of our territory's residents are either nationals of Dominica or are relatives of those who are and still reside there. In the wake of this tragedy and reports that the Prime Minister of Dominica believes Tropical Storm Erika has set them back at least twenty years I too would urge the territory's residents to say a prayer for those who have loved ones 'back home' in Dominica and aid in relief efforts being done throughout the territory and nationwide. The local 'Dominica Disaster Relief Committee' has begun taking donations for the residents of Dominica and are located at the Dominica Cargo, behind O'Henry Dry Cleaners in Tutu on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Local news have reported that the committee is looking for dry goods, baby supplies, medical supplies, building materials and tools while the Red Cross website lists similar suggests but are a little more detailed, everything and anything can help.
To my fellow residents of the U.S Virgin Islands territory that are in pain and worry about their family and friends in Dominica, I share your pain, I pray for their triumph, and as one of my Dominican born friends recently told in the wake of this tragedy D. A will rise again!
The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read #LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World, Healthy Summer Activities: Keeping Children Active, Savan Cleanup And Restore Project and National Public Gardens Day U.S.V.I.
