UPDATE FROM GRENADA

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency Provides Update on
Hurricane Ivan’s Effects on Grenada

Denville, NJ, September 10, 2004 - - As of 9:00 p.m. last evening, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) is reporting the following news from Grenada:

SECURITY:

Local law enforcement authorities supported by the Regional Security System have brought the internal security situation under control. As of last evening, there is now a dusk-to-dawn curfew in effect until further notice.

WATER:

Good headway is being made in restoring the potable water supply and it is expected to be flowing again by the weekend.

RELIEF ASSISTANCE:

The air and seaports have been secured and aircraft and boats carrying relief supplies from the International Federation of the Red Cross and the USAID Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) are scheduled to arrive today in Grenada.

The Governments of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are shipping emergency materials including tents, generators, plastic sheeting, and water bladders.

A Savingram was circulated to all Heads of Government of CARICOM by CDERA this afternoon and within a matter of hours pledges started to be received by CDERA totaling more than US$100,000.

AIRPORT:

The Air Traffic Control tower at the Point Salines International Airport was damaged but the ATC equipment is functional and expected to be back in operation soon. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) flew in an ATC specialist last evening.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Limited telecommunications is available.

CBC Radio 900 AM of Barbados and Radio Tambrin of Tobago on 92.1 FM have started broadcasting to Grenada. The Cabinet of Barbados directed the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation to expand its 900 AM service to Grenada. It has established a toll free number for Grenadians to telephone (800-744-8222) and it has increased the power of its transmitter to cover Grenada.

DEATH TOLL:

The death toll has risen to 17.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT NEEDS:

  1. There remains no power, no water.
  2. Air Traffic Control needs to be put into service.
  3. Customs and Immigration need to be reinstated at both ports of entry.
SUPPLIES REQUIRED URGENTLY:
  1. Water
  2. Food
  3. Tents
  4. Blankets
  5. Tarpaulins
  6. Roof material
  7. Batteries (all sizes)
  8. Building supplies (all types)
  9. Construction tools
  10. Emergency Housing
  11. Hand held communications devices
HOW TO HELP:

For residents in the United States, all donations can be coordinated through the Grenada Embassy:

    1701 New Hampshire Ave., NW,
    Washington DC 20009
    Tel: (202) 265-2561
    Fax: (202) 265-2468
Items can also be dropped off or shipped to either of the two below locations:

Grenada Relief
AMCAR Freight Inc.
7850 NW 80th Street, Suite #2
Medley, FL 33166

Grenada Relief
AMCAR Freight
Choice Container Line
445 Wilson Avenue
Newark, NJ 07105

All shipments must be boxed in accordance with shipping standards and include an inventory with quantities of items and values. An email or fax with your contact information and the inventory must be sent to Bob Diamond at bob@amcarfreight.com or (305) 599-2808. For additional information, contact Diamond at (305) 599-8866.

Monetary donations can be sent to the Bank of America, Account #005-472370974. ABA code for all wires and transfers is 063100277. The Account name is the Grenada Cultural and Civic Association (GCCA) Disaster Relief Fund.

For more information on Hurricane Ivan’s effects on Grenada, please visit the CDERA’s website at www.cdera.org.