The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, Emergency Support Function (ESF-6) of the country’s national disaster management system, provided assistance to the Commonwealth of Dominica in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika.
Dominica’s Permanent Secretary Helen Royer of the Dominica Ministry of Health, last Friday acknowledged receipt of the disaster relief supplies.
“On behalf of the Government of Dominica and the Ministry of Health and Environment, I extend profound gratitude to the Department of Health for the generous contribution of medical supplies and drugs to assist with the emergency and recovery efforts after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
“Your contribution reflected your steadfastness in humanitarian values and deep solidarity with the Dominican people. We have been touched by your expression of love and the promptness in getting these supplies to Dominica. These emergency supplies will certainly help us on the way to recovery. Once again, sincere thanks to your Department of Health,” the letter from Permanent Secretary Helen Royer read.
ESF-6 had an emergency meeting with its stakeholders after Tropical Storm Erika torrential rains had devastated parts of Dominica. During the meeting, those in attendance collectively defined the support that can be best made available in response to the identified need and timeline.
The collective assistance came from various agencies in the local medical field such as the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Martijn Trading, ALPHA Healthcare Services, the Public Health Department and the Collective Prevention Services.
This entire process at the time was supported by then Acting Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs.
Minister Bourne-Gumbs addressed a letter to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative requesting its facilitation in getting the committed St. Maarten’s assistance to Dominica.