The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) Corps today launched an “I am CARICOM” drive to raise “much needed financial assistance for storm-affected Dominica”.
“This drive has been named ‘I AM CARICOM’ as we declare as one single Caribbean Community to be each other’s keeper”, the CYA said in a release.
“The pain and suffering caused by the occurrence of this natural disaster continues to ache the hearts of the members of our Caribbean Community. The role of this Community is to help our sister island restore her brokenness and to give her a sense of hope in such trying times,” it added..
Through the drive, the CYAs will seek monetary contributions from respective country District Youth Councils, Schools, Community groups and churches of the Member States where Youth Ambassadors are present and make these funds available to the two Youth Ambassadors in Dominica to assist local youths in need. The effort officially commences on Wednesday September 2nd and ends on Saturday October 31st 2015.
“The CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan (2012-2017) outlines six major goal statements of which ‘Protection, Safety and Security,’ and ‘Health and Wellbeing’ are highlighted.’
“It is not always easy to protect a nation from natural disasters but as a Caribbean unit, the mandate is to ensure that security is restored when it has been broken down and that the health and wellness of its people are take care of”, the CYAs said.
Tropical storm Erika hit Dominica last Thursday 27 August, leaving more than 20 deaths and causing widespread damage to the country’s infrastructure. The Government has declared nine special disaster areas.
