Seychellois show big support for Haiti appeal
Seychellois have shown outstanding support for the disaster-stricken people of Haiti by raising a total of R180,000 so far.
The money for the appeal by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) has come from many individuals – including a little girl who gave R600 she had made by selling fresh lime juice – as well as staff of businesses and other groups.
The RCSS collected contributions in Victoria on two Saturdays, and donation boxes were also placed in businesses and schools after the earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.
Chrystold Chetty, chairman of the finance commission of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Colette Servina, president of the RCSS, thanked everyone who donated so generously.
“Thanks, merci, gracias and chokran are four simple words we use a lot in the Red Cross. We were very touched by the way the people of Seychelles reacted to our appeal,” said Mr Chetty.
And he told the story of one young girl who made lime juice and sold it at a picnic to raise money.
He assured members of the public that the funds received so far will soon be transferred to the IFRC, and any person or organisation still wishing to make a donation will be able to do so until February 15, though only at the RCSS headquarters in Victoria.
He said the Red Cross has a finance system that is solid and transparent to ensure that money donated is used wisely, adding that the funds will support relief operations by the IFRC to restore livelihoods and shelter to those affected in Haiti.
“The Red Cross was the first organisation to respond to the disaster since we already have a base there in Haiti. So the money is used to buy the necessities for the victims,” he said.
“After the tsunami, the Red Cross built 353 hospitals, more than 200 schools and millions of fresh water stations, and helped 1.5 million people. All these are published in the society’s annual report.”
Mr Chetty said just after the earthquake struck Haiti, the United States government called on everyone to donate through the Red Cross, which shows it trusts and believes in the work the society does.
Locally, he said the Red Cross has a warehouse filled with provisions to feed 5,000 families for two weeks, among other equipment, in case of a disaster.
Mrs Servina said the society received many phone calls from people wanting to help and donate clothing and food, but it was impossible to accept these for logistical reasons.
The RCSS has now opened a disaster account at Barclays Bank to collect funds in case of a disaster here. Individuals or organisations can make a deposit directly into the account or they can make their donations through the Red Cross headquarters.
Source: NATION 2-2-10