ROSEAU, Dominica — The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency recently received, on behalf of the Government of Dominica, a donation of 14,000 sheets of Galvalume sheeting valued at US$200,000 (EC$540,000) from Jamaica’s Tank-Weld Group.

Dominica’s Foreign Minister Francine Baron, who hailed the donation as very timely, said: “Tank-Weld’s donation will enable the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, as well as military engineering units from Jamaica and other Caricom states to continue their support to the Office of Disaster Management for emergency and reconstruction programmes on the island, following the devastation wrought to the island’s housing.”

Dominica’s Housing Minister Reginald Austrie, at the same time, expressed his appreciation for the donation, indicating that it constitutes a significant contribution to the massive reconstruction challenge facing his ministry. “I have to applaud the Tank-Weld Group and its partner, OSLO Bulk, for their generous contribution towards our struggle on the front line of climate change. It represents a very strong commitment of the private sector.”

The donation also covered shipping and port-handling costs.

On September 18, Hurricane Maria struck the Commonwealth of Dominica, affecting 90 per cent of all buildings, destroying roads and bridges, and forcing a near-total disruption of economic activity on the 290-square mile island.

Caribbean governments have been quick to respond to the disaster, dispatching food, water and emergency personnel to support Dominica’s disaster response agencies.