DOMINICA:--- NAGICO Insurances has donated EC75 000 to the Dominica Social Welfare Committee to assist in the relief efforts following the catastrophic passing of Tropical Storm Erika last week, which left over 30 people dead, several injured and scores of families homeless.
In a meeting with the Dominica Social Welfare Committee yesterday; Lisa Brown-McKay; Jr. Marketing Manager of NAGICO Insurances announced that the company will donate EC$75,000 which will go directly to the victims as they will be in the form of vouchers. This is being organized and coordinated in collaboration with the Welfare Department.
“We have partnered with a few Supermarkets and Department Stores which will allow persons with a NAGICO voucher to come in and get items at no charge to them, based on the limit on the voucher,” she said. “We are cognizant that at this time people have various needs and with this effort we are trying to offer immediate assistance, however I would like to caution that these vouchers can only be used for necessary following a disaster; e.g. food, toiletries, clothing etc.” A list will be provided by the Welfare department upon receipt of the voucher.
Chairman of the NAGICO Insurances Group of Companies; Imran McSood Amjad said, “We are very saddened at the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika, Dominica is not only part of our group, it is apart of our family,” he said. “We have several staff, friends, families, agents, brokers and clients living there and we have been operating in Dominica for over 20 years. So this has hit close to home for us”.
The Chairman of the Welfare Committee thanked NAGICO Insurances for their corporate citizenship, especially at a time when it is greatly needed. “We have done our assessments so far and right now we have 9 priority areas that we have classified as Special Disaster areas and 5 others of concern,” he said. “We are truly grateful for the support from NAGICO as this will go a long way to help us with our efforts.”
The monies will be distributed in the form of vouchers which will be distributed by the Social Welfare Committee and can be used at select Supermarkets and department stores to be advised by the department.
“We encourage other businesses and partners to come on board as we try to bring restoration back to the community as soon as possible,” Amjad said. “In addition to this donation our staff have set up an internal Dominica Relief Drive, throughout our organization at all our locations in our other 18 territories in the Caribbean. This fund is geared at providing further assistance to those affected by Tropical Storm Erika. We know that it will not be able to replace the loss and pain caused by this devastating storm, but it is a first step to creating some sense of normalcy in this troubling time. Our prayers continue to be with the people of Dominica and their families.”
