Practical donations continue to be assembled by various interest groups and NGOs across Trinidad and Tobago for Jamaica, following the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread destruction in its wake.
However, SEWA International Trinidad and Tobago is trying something a bit different.
Sewa President Revan Teelucksingh says their bucket concept came about after reviewing the supply chain process and thinking about the most practical delivery method, keeping in mind that everyone in Jamaica has been affected, including port workers.
“We are not collecting random items, but we are building a very specific kit that is based on the need list that has been provided from CDEMA. And this kit also fulfils all the requirements that are required for transport and the logistics. So what happens is when you have to put all of these items together, you’ll find that you have to find boxes. Rainfall, it gets wet, somebody lift up the box, the whole thing fall apart, people could put drugs in them. There are so many considerations.”
The bucket, he notes, is not just about efficient packaging.
“This bucket has almost $400 worth in food items and like medication, over-the-counter stuff, things that you require that are all on the needs list for Jamaica right now. And these buckets – COTT hopes to gather enough funds to produce one thousand of these buckets. So the value is going to be 400,000 plus, right, that we’re going to be sending in a container towards Jamaica. We’re very happy to announce through our partnership with the Supermarkets Association and all the other stakeholders, many of the distributors, people are giving us the items way below what they sell to even some of the supermarkets.”