THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM the president of Trans Caribe Express Shippers, Inc., a family-owned and operated shipping company, servicing the Caribbean, from the New York/ New Jersey /Connecticut tri-state area. We have set up a hurricane relief centre at our private shipping warehouse to benefit the victims of Hurricane Ivan in Grenada, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Consequently, we are in the process of collecting food items (dry and canned goods), clothing, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, linens, etc., for this initiative.
However, we made recent contact with the Jamaica Consulate General's office in New York and are still awaiting their feedback. At present, it appears as if there is no organised or centralised infrastructure in place to accommodate people who are willing to assist in this catastrophe.
I am a bit disappointed that a web-link is not in place to guide other people in other countries that would like to make contributions to this effort. The Internet is a very powerful medium and is used as a tool for an increasing number of people worldwide to reach out to the rest of the world.
As a business person in the private sector, I think the governing bodies of this relief endeavour should co-ordinate with the major media houses to point people in the right direction. An Internet link should be placed on each company's homepage to direct all traffic to the proper Internet portal that is implemented for the benefit of these victims. I am sure many people would like to contribute but there is no mention, anywhere, where donations can be sent or delivered.
I am, etc.,
HOMER RUTTY
hurricaneivan@
transcaribe.com
President,
Trans Caribe
Express Shippers, Inc.
New Jersey, USA
