Cayman sends urgent aid to Bay Islands
(CNS) More than 11,000 pounds of relief aid and essential supplies was airlifted yesterday from Grand Cayman to Guanaja, one of the Bay Islands in Honduras, in response to a devastating fire on Bonacca Cay earlier this month. Politicians loaded the aid, which had been collected from the community, onto a dedicated Cayman Airways cargo flight after Premier Wayne Panton had spearheaded efforts to collect the urgent supplies and made a commitment to help in the wake of the tragedy.
“Caymanians maintain a close kinship and strong cultural links with the Bay Islands as many Bay Islanders and Caymanians share a common heritage and multiple family ties,” Panton said. “When the news of this tragedy became known to us, we immediately began discussion a plan of action to assist.”
He said the Cayman community had been generous, with much of the aid coming from individuals and corporate entities.
“I was touched at the outpouring of love and care for the Bay Islanders by our people and those who call the Cayman Islands home,” he said. “As the Cayman Islands community is known to do, we sprang into action to collect aid through our churches, service clubs, businesses and individuals. The support has been not only encouraging, but overwhelming. I thank everyone for their assistance.
Other non-governmental organisations and businesses within the community are also making arrangements for a future shipment of recovery needs.
“I commend Governor Dino Silvestri for reaching out to us after I made the announcement that Cayman would be offering help and for his dedication to the people of the Bay islands in working alongside them to rebuild the Cay,” Panton said. “We will continue to support in their recovery in any way that we can.”
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said Cayman Airways had shown its importance again, not only to the Cayman Islands but to our friends and neighbours.
“As minister for tourism, I was happy that we could rely on our national carrier, Cayman Airways, to assist in this critical mission,” he added.
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Category: Local News
I hope they don’t do with it what they did in Hurricane Mitch $$$$$ who is responsible for distribution of these relief supplies.Good intentions unfortunately has paved the way to help for many folks!
Poicications can always fool foolish people. How do you think they got voted in. They say they doing everything for the people, but never say what they doing for themselves, like, Big wages, free vehicles/gas, free travel/hotel/expensives etc, etc, etc, etc, etc,
I believe in helping God knows I do and I gladly sent 5 bags from my house clothes towels blankets etc…Now Mr Premier lets send a plane to collect the GOOD VACCINE we the other half of population WANTS/NEEDS to raise your percentage to 80%and above. This is a HUMANITARIAN CRY FOR HELP FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND
If they try to land one of the usual Cayman Airways jets at Guanaja airport, the aircrew will need all that toilet paper – I landed in a 6/8 seater and it was probably the hairiest approach and landing I have ever experienced anywhere in 40+ years as a plane passenger.
For a disaster of that magnitude, i think that we need to send a ship laden with building material also. Maybe Al could help out with that.
A great gesture was ruined by politicians. Wayne, why did you allow Mcbeater and Juju to highjack the event?
No need for them to be there. Did they contribute anything personally? That would be a No!!!!!!!!!
How would you know? Maybe they did donate. At the end of the day they are part of the government whether you like them or not. What happened in the Bay Islands is far bigger than your petty outcry about Mac and Juliana, all hands on deck to assist is what matters.
And how do you know if they did or didn’t?
As much as I dislike McKeeva he is always the first one to step up to organize humanitarian aid in times like these. The first thing the Premier did was announce that Cayman would help and offered Cayman Airways as a means to get the help there.
Instead of trying to drag down everyone you should come out and help with at least donating your time. I am sure the people here and in Guanaja would appreciate it.
“Take the plank out of your own eye then you will see clearly how to take the speck out of others.”
Matt. 7:5
Meanwhile, I still cannot get through to NAU to get my rent voucher.
9:19 am, please get a job, its plenty jobs that’s out there in Grand. Do you understand that the money you gets from NAU comes from the working people duties/taxes that they pay in to Government. If you are healthy enough get a job and take care of yourself and don’t depend on others.
You do not know that individual’s struggles, so kindly stfu
Kind gesture but too bad it had to be undermined by the political photo promotion.
Ahhh yes, the time-honoured classic of air lifting old underwear, socks and crayons to people with no water, food, or shelter – or money to clean up and rebuild! Hopefully we sent some useful stuff amongst the junk.
It is a fine gesture of humanitarian support and very much to be applauded. Unfortunately a little spoiled by government Ministers using it as a photo opportunity to get in on the act – same as old press shots of ministers breaking ground on new building developments with shiny new spades, or sitting at the controls of bulldozers and excavators wearing an ill fittling “hard hat” By all means be there to show your support, but don’t pretend to be humping great big boxes of toilet paper wearing an expensive suit, and tie in temperatures in the 80’s.
But we have no toilet rolls…
And we full of shit.
Good job. Hats off to everyone who has helped and contributed.
We should assist. Bay islanders are more Caymanian than most residing here these days.
Wonder what that cost?
The funds could have been used to support the RCIPS traffic department to save lives on Cayman roads
KX already caries more debt than the USA.
idiot comment..
Very good
But how embarrassingly childish that all the politicians are lined up to be seen in a photo op..
How you mean? I’m sure they loaded the whole plane in those outfits.
Lifting two boxes and having other members snap pictures is not loading the plane.