CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque today received a donation of items from member companies of the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) to support the recovery effort in storm-damaged Dominica.

The donation of a wide range of medical supplies, generators, cleaning items and cash were presented by New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company, Gaico Construction and General Services Inc., National Hardware and CAMEX.

The Secretary-General thanked the PSC for their quick and generous response to the devastation in the sister CARICOM Member State, and stressed that the donations are very well linked to the immediate needs on the ground.

“I can tell you these items will be well received, knowing the situation on the ground”.

Private Sector Commission Chairman, Major General (Ret) Norman McClean said its members were keen to be early and make meaningful contributions to the relief effort.

“We are our brothers’ keepers and this is what is expected of us. The Commission is working assiduously to ensure further meaningful contributions.”

Arrangements are being made to transport the items to Dominica later this week. The Secretary-General leaves on a visit to Dominica on Thursday.

Dominica is in recovery mode following last Thursday’s passage by Tropical Storm Erika which left more than 30 persons dead and extensive damage to infrastructure. The Government has declared nine special disaster areas.

CDEMA, the CARICOM Institution leading the regional response on the ground in Dominica, has reported that 52 houses were destroyed and 89 damaged and that more than 500 person remain homeless. It said major damage to roadways and bridges has made it difficult to reach several communities.