The people of Anguilla, who were severely affected by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, and received much assistance from abroad, are now turning their attention to the people of The Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
The Anguillians, other persons and business organisations on the island, are looking at ways in which they can lend a helping hand to the unfortunate Bahamians.
In the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, 3rd September, Premier Victor Banks, who remains grateful for the regional and international help the island and its people received, led the House in expressing solidarity with The Bahamians. Mr. Banks said he would be joining his colleagues in the region to see what assistance could be given to the hurricane-ravaged islands.
“I have had occasion to be involved in a number of discussions with the leaders of the OECS and members of CARICOM, over the last two days,” he told the House of Assembly. “We are using that vehicle to communicate with the Government of The Bahamas as to what kind of assistance can be forthcoming from our region; and we have made a number of pledges to ensure that we can assist the people of The Bahamas as they go through this very serious ordeal.
“I am asking the people of Anguilla to do whatever they can, in any way, to contribute to any causes which are directed towards relieving the suffering and hardships that the days ahead will entail for the people of the Bahamas. We assure them that the Government of Anguilla and the people of Anguilla as a whole are in unison of spirit with the people of The Bahamas at this time; and will continue to participate in any enterprise that would help to relieve their ordeal.”
Meanwhile, Four Seasons Anguilla has announced the setting up of a relief programme for the people of The Bahamas. Other known supporting entities, at press time, included the Anguilla Progressive Association in New York, as well as sources in the United States in contact with that Association, and various groups and individuals in Anguilla whose identities and scope of assistance were not immediately known.
