by B Roach
The Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross was at work on its Disaster Risk Reduction Program as it donated and handed over garbage. Receptacles to the Drummonds Community Action Group, all in an effort to encourage cleanliness of, and general esthetics of the Drummonds community..
The Red Cross Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Officer Bettrice Jones and Director of the Red Cross Wendy Steed, with new board member Milykhia McKenzie performing as chairperson on the spot, officiated at the handing over ceremony which took place in Drummonds on October 28, 2015.
Mrs Loretta Daley is president of the Community Action Group and before receiving on behalf of the group told the small gathering for the occasion how the side of the road, “is very unsightly, plus it harbors allot of cats, dogs, rats, everything and plus other people from other communities come in and bring their waste here, commercial waste, all kind of waste…”
She said that the Action Group decided to get rid of the one general receptacle and make “everyone is responsible for keeping their garbage on their property and keeping it clean.”
“We have come to almost to the end of this project, thank God, and the bins will be handed over to us,” as she expressed thanks to, “the Red Cross from the community of Drummonds and Gerald’s for your donation.”
The Reduction (DRR) Officer Bettrice Jones said, “that the community was selected as part of a community selection tool based on of the vulnerability that was present…” She said they went from house to house to individuals, “asking them questions about their understanding of disaster, what preparations they have in their households to prevent or to reduce the risk they’re facing in disaster.”
She said following discussions and consultations with the Action Group, “as Miss Daley just highlighted that their main problem or the main issue that they face was solid waste pollution”
Mrs. Wendy Steed executed the official handover explaining that this was just the first project under the DRR Program.She pointed out that the community received training as she expressed appreciation to all concerned for their patience and understanding. She further explained that there was a delay getting to that end, bu this was due to an “import delay in the receiving the bins on island… however all the issues have been overcome,” she contended.