The High Commission donates supplies for Barbuda hurricane relief

PRESS RELEASE

 

16th January 2018… The High Commission donates supplies for Barbuda hurricane relief

The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission (London) continued its Rebuild Barbuda initiative with the donation of two containers of supplies to aid the recovery process in Barbuda. Present at the handing over ceremony were the Director of the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) Philmore Mullin, Member of Parliament for Barbuda the Honourable Arthur Nibbs, Chairperson of the Barbuda Council Knacyntar Nedd, and Barbuda Council member Nadia John George.

The donation was made possible by Shop Direct. In a statement read on behalf of the High Commission, High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill extended thanks to Shop Direct for not only supporting the High Commission’s ongoing rebuild Barbuda Programme, but for also being one of the first organisations to respond to a letter of appeal sent by the High Commissioner. “The quick response by Shop Direct’s management to assemble essential household items, such as mattresses and bedding, tableware, kitchen and bathroom accessories and other useful amenities, shows their willingness to help Antigua and Barbuda in a tangible way, to ensure that the victims of Hurricane Irma are not left to rebuild by themselves.”

The NODS Director, Mr Mullin also emphasised the importance of this donation at the short handing over ceremony thanking the High Commission and Shop Direct for the items. He stated, “We are indeed grateful for the effort made to source and deliver these items to assist in the recovery effort following Hurricane Irma in September”.

Following the mandatory evacuation of Barbudans as hurricane Jose approached the already devastated Barbuda just a few days after Irma, the arrival of these donations will assist in supporting the traumatised victims, many of whom lost everything as a result of the hurricane.

The High Commission Office in London remains firmly committed to assisting the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda in the Barbuda rebuilding process.

About Shop Direct

Shop Direct is the second largest pureplay online retailer and among one of the largest online unsecured credit providers in the UK. Approximately £1.93 billion in annual sales were recorded for the 2016/2017 season – and roughly 1.3 million visitors navigate to the Shop Direct website daily. The company’s purpose is to “make good things easily accessible to more people.” To do this, customers must be easily able to access their favourite brands in a personalised and enjoyable way. https://www.shopdirect.com/

About the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London

The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London offers consular services to Antigua and Barbudan citizens and its visitors. In addition to consular services, notarial services are also offered, and citizens of the twin island state may obtain a passport application form and other travel documents. The High Commission is an extension of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeks to: • Manage and coordinate regional, international and multilateral/ bilateral relations. • Safeguard and advance the interest of nationals living abroad and, • Provide diplomatic and protocol services