The island of Dominica is struggling to recover following Tropical Storm Erika’s direct hit on August 27. The yachting community is therefore once again mobilizing to supply aid for this treasured cruising area.
Two organizations, the Dominica Marine Association and YachtAid Global, are each requesting that yacht owners, crew, and the industry for assistance. More than 20 people were killed by Tropical Storm Erika’s effects, and dozens are still missing. Electricity, communications, and transportation around the island are all widely disrupted, and drinkable water is hard to come by, too. Complicating the situation, Tropical Storm Erika severely damaged the island’s primary airport.
To put Dominica into perspective, it’s quite small, roughly four times the size of Washington, D.C. About halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, it is also largely still undeveloped, a primary attraction for yachting visitors and other tourists.
The Dominica Marine Association and YachtAid Global are each seeking yachts that can travel there with supplies. Primary needs at present include diapers, baby formula, bottled water, non-perishable food, batteries, battery-operated lamps, and personal hygiene products. The government of Dominica is waiving customs duties, thankfully. However, the Dominica Marine Association requests that you notify it prior to arriving in either Roseau or Portsmouth on the island, so that it can assist with the waiver. The Dominica Marine Association is headquartered at Dominica Marine Center and can be reached via email. (The company’s email is indeed working.) Hubert Winston, president of the Dominica Marine Association, says a Tropical Storm Erika crowdfunding campaign will also directly benefit the Dominica Red Cross, the Dominica Marine Association water taxi efforts, and the island’s Office of Disaster Management.
As for YachtAid Global, it’s seeking yachts, too, though its founder, Capt. Mark Drewelow, says no big yachts seem to be heading there just yet. YachtAid Global is therefore planning a fundraising drive to benefit a non-government organization (NGO) that’s already having a positive impact. “Dominica has a very long recovery ahead,” Drewelow comments. “All of us yachties have been there and need to do what we can to support the people there.” YachtAid Global’s recovery efforts will continue through the regular winter cruising season, when more yachts will be available in the region.
In the meantime, Drewelow recommends a few specific websites for learning more about Tropical Storm Erika and Dominica. They include the Office of the Prime Minister of Dominica, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
“As with any rapid-onset disaster, there are NGOs out there that prey on the emotion of it all,” Drewelow also cautions. “Best to always check out where your donation of funds are going.” Guidestar http://www.guidestar.org is helpful in this regard, he adds. Type “IRS Form 990” into the Guidestar search bar to find U.S.-based NGOs.
Leave a Reply