LDS caucus donates R60,000 to Red Cross |04 June 2020

The handover of the cheque (Photo: Patrick Joubert)

The Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) caucus in the National Assembly yesterday donated R60,000 to the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) to boost its humanitarian operations in the post coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

It was the leader of the opposition, Wavel Ramkalawan, on behalf of the LDS members in the National Assembly, who handed the cheque to RCSS vice- president Gerry Henry, in a brief ceremony yesterday afternoon at the RCSS headquarters, Zone 18, Providence.

Present were the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Ahmed Afif; LDS members Wavel Woodcock and Regina Alcindor; the secretary general of RCSS Marie-May Bastienne and other staff of RCSS.

The cash donation by the LDS caucus forms part of their commitment made in the National Assembly to donate 10% of the salaries of the nineteen LDS members during the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. It was the second such donation to organisations in the front line of the post COVID-19. Last month, the Nurses Association of Seychelles (Nars) received an equivalent amount.

In his address, Hon. Ramkalwan commended the RCSS for being always present in times of difficulties to help people in need of assistance in the community.

He noted that it was with pleasure that the LDS caucus was making the donation to support their humanitarian activities.

He added that RCSS can count on the LDS members for further support and he thanked them for the good work they are doing.

Hon. Ramkalawan further stated that LDS caucus will make a third cash donation to an organisation in the frontline of post COVID-19, yet to be decided.

On behalf of RCSS, Mr Henry thanked the LDS caucus for their generous contributions and he hoped that other people or organisations will follow suit and contribute towards helping others in need of assistance in this time of the post COVID-19.

Mrs Bastienne said that RCSS recently launched an appeal for assistance in terms of food items or cash to assist people in need and the donation received will further add weight to its assistance to help people in need, especially those who have lost their jobs in the wake of COVID-19.

She claimed that RCSS, on average, receives three persons per week coming to seek assistance in terms of basic food commodities and therefore the cash donation has come at an opportune time.

Mrs Bastienne noted though that an evaluation is carried out before assistance is disbursed further to reporting other social issues to concerned ministries and organisations.

RCSS was very active during the COVID-19 pandemic through contact tracing amid providing assistance to the needy.

Patrick Joubert