GOVERNOR JANE OWEN VISITS CAYMAN ISLANDS RED CROSS SHELTER AND COMMENDS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS

Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs. Jane Owen, who serves as the Patron of the Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC), paid a visit to the Red Cross Shelter to personally meet with the dedicated staff and volunteers. The shelter, a 24/7 facility, stands ready to provide a safe haven for individuals in need of assistance during emergencies.

During her visit, Governor Owen engaged with the CIRC staff and board members,  and received a presentation on the organizations community programs, such as Disaster Management, First Aid and CPR training and support, Child protection, Support Our Seniors and the Thrift community outreach.

One of the highlights of the visit was Governor Owen’s viewing of one of the nine strategically positioned CIRC relief supply containers located throughout Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. These containers are stocked with vital equipment, including cleaning kits, buckets, and plastic sheeting, intended to aid affected communities during national and localized disasters.

CIRC Director, Jondo Obi, and Disaster Manager Stuart Cruickshank, presented the organization’s new and robust disaster management framework for the current hurricane season. As part of their comprehensive disaster preparedness mechanism, CIRC has trained 55 volunteers as shelter managers. These volunteers have been equipped with the necessary skills to provide crucial First Aid at each of the national shelters. Additionally, they have undergone training in pre and post-disaster assessments, logistics, communications, and essential psychological support.

Furthermore, Governor Owen had the opportunity to meet with Remy Imperial, the Thrift Shop Manager, who provided insight into the Thrift Shop referral services. This initiative involves collaboration with various government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that vulnerable clients can access high-quality items at no cost. Utilizing the CIRC referral form, agencies channel requests to the Thrift Shop, where individuals can obtain essential items. Over the years, the Thrift Shop has been instrumental in supporting community members impacted by localized disasters such as house fires and floods, providing clothing, bedding, furniture, and other necessities.

“It was great to visit the Cayman Islands Red Cross last week and hear about their work from Director Jondo Obi, her team and board members. The pre-positioned Red Cross containers, full of relief supplies for cleaning and stick on tarpaulins, will really help us clean up and recover after a hurricane”, says Governor Owen, “My thanks for the Red Cross for all the essential work they do in throughout the year in support of the community, both in preparing for natural hazards, as well as training and support all year round.”