As part of the relief efforts to provide humanitarian aid to St Vincent following the eruption of La Soufriere volcano, TEAMRUBIS partnered with the Salvation Army to facilitate the donation of urgent supplies including water, food baskets and water storage supplies. The donations were made in two phases and assisted families and organisations living in the zones most impacted by the volcanic eruption.
On June 22, 2021 at the Troumaca Secondary School, located in St David, west of the island, some 80 elderly and displaced persons from the hard-hit communities of Rose Bank, Chateaubelair and Spring Village received 80 food baskets and cases of water. The joyous faces of all who received was a heart-warming experience for the team. RUBIS also donated five 400 gallon water tanks and two water pumps. Witnessing the donation was the Constituency Representative for North Leeward and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, the Hon. Carlos James, representative from the Minister’s office, Angelica Richards and Captain Ernest Gachelin of the Salvation Army.
Minister James lauded RUBIS for the timely donations, stating that he was extremely happy that RUBIS was living up to its corporate social responsibility by reaching out to the communities that were most affected by the volcanic eruption and extended his profound gratitude on behalf of the people of North Leeward for leading the way in helping them. He further stated that the donations will touch the hearts of persons in his community who are very happy that they can get some support as they move back into their homes and try to put their lives back together. He explained that the water tanks and pumps will be used by some schools and resource centres to improve the water situation at those institutions and extended thanks to the Salvation Army for being part of the exercise.
The following day at the Salvation Army Headquarters, Kingstown, TEAMRUBIS made a further donation of sixty food baskets, three water pumps and six water storage tanks. Witnessing the donation was Captain Ernest Gachelin, Major Germaine Gachelin and other members of the Salvation Army. Major Gachelin explained that many persons had been evacuated from their homes in the red zones and while the explosions from the La Soufriere volcano have affected the entire island, the people of North Leeward and South Windward have been most adversely affected. He stated that the Salvation Army was pleased to partner with RUBIS in offering a helping hand to evacuated residents and the donation will go a long way in alleviating the pain of persons in the communities.
In his address, Elroy Edwards, RUBIS Account Executive, explained, “As we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the La Soufriere eruption, we at RUBIS stand in solidarity with the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines in this difficult time. We have all been tremendously moved by the scenes of devastation and difficulty that it has brought on many Vincentians. The eruptions have affected the entire island and the situation continues to be difficult for some residents.” He continued, “In times like these, our natural instinct is to assist and show that we care. As you work towards restoring your life back to some level of normalcy, TEAMRUBIS would like to take some of the burden off your shoulders by donating these items. I trust that they will go a long way in easing the situation. It is my optimism that we will rise above this current crisis very soon.”
The donation was to the value of EC$33,000. RUBIS also partnered with the Private Sector Commission and the Government of Guyana to donate 14,000 litres of diesel to fuel a shipment of emergency supplies and food to the people of St Vincent a week after the first eruptions.
