HURRICANE ASSISTANCE

Help our Caribbean brothers and sisters through Alumni Online. UWI Pelicans, many of our sister Caribbean countries were devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. The alumni are involved in supporting them and in rebuilding the UWI Open Campus sites that will ensure that excellent tertiary education remains available. To assist please donate.

CALLING ALL UWI ALUMNI: INFORMATION ON HOW TO HELP THE HURRICANE RAVAGED CARIBBEAN ISLANDS (initial information, as we get more, we will share)

To assist in the rebuilding process, in light of the devastation caused across the Caribbean during the 2017 hurricane season, we are providing the following information and encourage you to give generously:

DONATIONS THROUGH ALUMNI ONLINE 

Kindly donate at: https://www.uwi.edu/alumnionline/hurricane-relief

Please indicate the island you wish to assist in the designation box (e.g. Hurricane Relief – Tortola; Hurricane Relief – Dominica; Hurricane Relief – Anguilla etc.)

THE OPEN CAMPUS HQ – BARBADOS 

The Open Campus Principal and her Executive Team are requesting the following: In terms of collection of items:

• non-perishable food,
• bottled water
• tarpaulins
• toiletries – deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, towels, lotion,
• children's school supplies
• supplies for babies and toddlers- bottled food, diapers, baby wipes, vaseline, electrolytes, baby aspirin
• buckets, matches, Ziploc bags, mosquito repellent, cleaning supplies

Note: Items donated in the Open Campus countries not affected by the terrible storms can be dropped off at those Open Campus Sites and they will organize distribution. In Barbados, items can be dropped at the Principal’s office. .

IF YOU ARE IN TRINIDAD AND WISH TO HELP 
The St. Augustine Campus has set up an account in the Bursary for donations to support recovery and rebuilding efforts, you can donate via the following means:

1. UWI Banner Account - 1300 -226244 or by quoting Cashier Detail Code – 5HRF
2. RBL Bank account - 160-135-528-301
3. Online: http://bit.ly/2fkpzNY

IF YOU ARE IN THE UK AND WISH TO ASSIST THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Support the recovery and rebuilding efforts by donating to the following:

1. BVI HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF FUND
   BVI London office & BVI Tourist Board UK Office
2. BVI RECOVERY FUND
   BVI Tourist Board New York Office Text "BVI" to 707070
3. METRO BANK LONDON
   In the name of: BVI HURRICANE RELIEF
   ACCOUNT NO: 25028309
   SORT CODE: 23-05-80

You can also contact enquiries@bvi.org.uk.

FOR US BASED ALUMNI WHO WISH TO DONATE

The Executive Director of the AFUWI has given a specific account for Hurricane Relief donations from the UWI. Feel free to give generously to:

1. On the web log on to afuwihurricanerelief.org
2. On mobile phones text keyword AFUWI to 41444. (Mobile phone donations may be subject to text messaging charges based on your plan.)

FYI - The UWI and CDEMA to Establish Caribbean Emergency Management Association in New York. 

The UWI Regional Headquarters. 25 September 2017— The Caribbean Centre For Disaster And Risk Reduction located in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) have agreed to leverage The UWI’s North American networks, in order to mobilise resources in North America for disaster relief and construction within the Caribbean. In light of the phenomenal damage caused to the Caribbean during the 2017 hurricane season, there has been a growing call within diaspora communities and international development agencies in North America.

As a result, CDEMA has agreed to approve a UWI proposal to establish a new facility in New York: the Caribbean Emergency Management Association (CEMA), which will resonate with the North American communities, understanding of the work done by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). CEMA will mobilise North American networks including all friends and stakeholders including private sector, civil society, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), media and tertiary institutions.

CEMA will be hosted in the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUUWI) office in New York, which is located in the Office of the Jamaican Consulate. CEMA will be jointly chaired by Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, and Executive Director of CDEMA, Dr. Ronald Jackson. The functions of the CEMA shall include but shall not be limited to:

• Acting as a focal point for mobilisation of resources specifically in North America for supporting the work of CDEMA in the execution of their regional role in disaster management;
• Providing support for capacity building for CDEMA through alignment with FEMA, the Red Cross, and other international disaster agencies who operate in the Caribbean region.

Please also use the local organizations in your area that are assisting hurricane affected Caribbean countries.

Thanks so much for your assistance – “One UWI, One Alumni Family”