UNICEF's representatives "committed to reopening schools in Saint Lucia"
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Wednesday 10 November 2010 – The United Nations Children Fund has been providing assistance to Saint Lucia in the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas.
In keeping with its mandate, UNICEF has so far made available one hundred thousand United States dollars to the Ministry of Education to assist with the rehabilitation of schools around the island which have been closed since the passage of the storm.
UNICEF Representative Tom Olson says after conducting preliminary assessments, the organisation has identified the reopening of the nation`s schools as the top priority.
“Immediately, we have identified the need to work with the Ministry of Education. I have released more than one hundred thousand US dollars for the purchase of equipment and supplies and UNICEF is willing to make another donation of one hundred thousand US dollars if required. I am going to have a conversation with the chief Education Officer and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education to assess the needs for the various schools, to see if we can bring in tents, fans, generators etc. to see how fast we can get the children back to normal living; this has to be under the pace and leadership of the government because I am not here to tell anyone what to do, I am just here to say if you need us, we are available and if required we will support.”
Olson says the United Nations Children Fund has also supplied thirty-two thousand bottles of drinking water for distribution to the most affected communities.
The shipment of water landed on Port Castries on Wednesday, November 10.
“We are also supplying water water purification tablets which can actually be put into a glass or container and it purifies the water to make it safe to drink. Together with the UNFPA we are also looking at the hygiene kits and so far through this collaboration we have provided one thousand kits to reach out to the most vulnerable families, in the kits there are tooth brushes and tooth paste, toilet paper and various hygiene supplies and we are also looking at the children kits as well, so together with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and other partners, UNICEF is moving into the affected areas to ensure that people drink clean water and that they do not fall sick—we are ensuring the well being of children and their families.”
UNICEF says it will continue to assist the government and people of Saint Lucia as the country recovers from Hurricane Tomas.
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