The Anguilla Red Cross (ARC) is in the process of conducting an assessment to determine how it can support households in need of assistance. This is in regard to those persons who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through lost or reduced income.
In an interview with ARC’s Office Administrator, Ms. Mervette Bryan, it was revealed that an exercise is currently underway to allow households in need of relief to apply for assistance. “The method by which this assessment is being undertaken is through registration, and the registration process is currently underway,” Ms. Bryan said. She noted, “Persons can register by going to our website at: www.redcross.ai. Once the news section is pulled up, registration can be made via the link provided. The deadline for registration is 27th September, 2020.”
Ms. Bryan went on to say that in this crucial period, when jobs have been lost due to COVID-19, the RBTT Bank in Anguilla had come forward to donate an appreciable contribution of EC$10,000 to ARC’s COVID-19 Assistance Programme. These funds, as well as ARC’s emergency relief funding, will finance this Assistance Programme. Ms. Bryan also noted that the Programme is short-term, and based on the availability of funds.
The Red Cross Administrator continued: “The qualifying criteria for the assessment are: one, persons whose employment was affected due to COVID-19; and two, persons who have not received assistance from other unemployment programmes such as Social Security, Government, etc.” She acknowledged that there were various other circumstances where persons need assistance, and the aim was to meet that need as much as possible.
With regard to fundraising activities, Ms. Bryan noted: “Currently the Anguilla Red Cross has in place a payroll related programme where persons, through their employer, can deduct a portion of their salary, as low as $5.00, to be donated directly to the ARC. A percentage of that donation is earmarked towards the ARC’s Emergency Relief Fund and the balance towards programme and community activities. Persons who wish to contribute to this payroll programme may contact the ARC’s office for more information. There are other fundraising activities, such as the RC Boutique, where persons can support in various ways.”
She added: “Going forward, the ARC will organize other fundraising activities which would add to the COVID-19 Assistance Programme. Further information regarding donations and fundraisings can be obtained by visiting the ARC’s website and Facebook page.”
Ms. Bryan was asked whether businesses were approached to assist with supplementing the contribution made by the RBTT towards the COVID-19 relief. She replied: “Currently no appeals have been made to businesses for donating towards the COVID-19 Assistance Programme. However, businesses have assisted the ARC with various projects in the past and for this we are ever so grateful.”
She said that members of the community had also been willing to donate to the ARC — as an organisation which serves the community. She noted: “We always welcome such individual donations and are very grateful for them.
“We encourage persons to donate whatever they possibly can, be it through voluntary service or monetary donations. Donations can be made via NCBA’s online banking Bill Payment section. Simply indicate, in the memo section, what the donation is in reference to. Donations can also be made to a PayPal account by visiting the ARC’s website. Persons can also visit the office in The Quarter.”
Asked what contributions the British Red Cross had made to the ARC during the current COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Bryan replied: “The British Red Cross has supported and continues to support the ARC tremendously in various ways including programme support, technical support and in times of crisis.”
Ms. Bryan added: “The ARC would like to say thanks for the continued support from various businesses and individuals on the island. We aim to provide assistance to all vulnerable persons when crises strike. We do this with the help of qualified staff, our volunteers and with you — our valued supporters.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
