Government aid for Brixton’s Caribbean friends and relatives

Councillor Donatus Anyanwu

The British Government has given almost £1 million towards the Red Cross relief effort for the victims of Hurricane Ivan’s trail of destruction over the Caribbean. The news came in a letter from International Development Secretary Hilary Benn to Labour Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, Chair of the Brixton Area Committee.

Cllr Anyanwu had recently written to Mr Benn, pointing out that many relatives of Brixton’s Caribbean community will have been affected by the tragedy, and urging the British Government to do all it could to help them.

The money was made up of £132,000 given to the red Cross relief effort and £710,000 as part of a total of £3.65 million that, at the UK’s insistence, the EU was mobilising towards the disaster. The British Government also made and immediate contribution of £83,400 which enabled, amongst other things, emergency personnel to undertake disease surveillance and control.

As well as the relief monies, the Government also ensured that HMS Richmond and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Wave Ruler were equipped and in position to provide immediate assistance. 48 sailors were placed at the disposal of the Government of Grenada, who helped clear debris and helped re-establish the island’s Emergency Operations Centre.

Cllr Anyanwu, commented:

“I am delighted that Hilary Benn responded so positively. I am sure that without Britain’s contributions, both in terms of manpower and money, the relief operation would not have been as successful as it was. I believe that the Government has done all it can to help Brixton’s friends and relatives in the Caribbean, to which this part of London has so many close ties.”

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