La Digue COVID-19 Solidarity Fund launched |04 April 2020
Members of the La Digue business community and other individuals can now submit any contributions they want to make to the La Digue Solidarity Fund to assist the island’s most vulnerable in the event that the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION on Thursday, the vice-chairperson of the La Digue Business Association, Robert Pool, said people can either contact the secretary of the La Digue Business Association, Ruby Rose, on 2723890 or call at the office at the Seychelles Ports Authority building at La Passe.
The La Digue Business Association recently launched the appeal to the island’s business community as well as any other individual on the island to contribute financially or in kind to the solidarity fund to help the most vulnerable members of the Diguois community in the event that the COVID-19 pandemic deteriorates.
The fund will be managed by the La Digue Business Association and it will be used to assist those people in the community who will be the most affected.
The association recently set up an emergency committee comprising representatives of different authorities on the island namely the DA, the police, health, L’union Estate and others to respond to the needs of the community in case there is an urgency as nobody knows for certain how the pandemic will play out.
It was during a meeting the committee held at the Fish Trap Restaurant at La Passe at the weekend led by Mr Pool that the idea for the solidarity fund was put on the table.
Discussions centred mostly on how the fund would be managed and the role of each agency and bodies, all of which detailed their plans of action.
L’Union Estate’s chief executive, Gustave Delpeche, explained that in the event that the pandemic becomes serious, the estate which is the lead producer of meat and vegetables on the island, will distribute fresh produce to people in need.
Mr Pool for his part explained that the Logan Hospital for instance at present needs some additional essential material urgently like towels, bed sheets among other items for everyday use.
“If ever the pandemic situation worsens, the association will also assist with logistics and provide support to the medical staff, all the different agency members on the frontline and others in need of assistance,” said Mr Pool.
He further added that the committee has created a Whatsapp group to ease the flow of communication and information among them in addition to the different points of contact.
Mr Pool has, on behalf of the association, expressed heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the quick response and serious expression of commitment and engagement of the different groups in the community to the initiative.
“In view of the present situation we all need to come together no matter what. We really appreciate the prompt and positive reaction of people in the community. I know that the situation is difficult and critical for all of us as we are all in the tourism business and at present none of us are getting any revenue from our business but this does not stop us from making some form of contribution be it financial or in kind. Whatever we receive will be very much appreciated,” Mr Pool explained.
He further remarked that the virus does not choose its victims and anybody can be affected so anything given from the heart will make a great difference.
Mr Pool said the account will be audited accordingly to ensure transparency.
Marie-Anne Lepathy