The home of Mount Toute resident Margaret Roberts was the centre of attention last Wednesday as the Grenada Red Cross Society in partnership with their overseas colleagues inaugurated their 600th roof since the passages of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

The 36 year old single mother of five who has been residing in the area for more than 13 years expressed how happy she was to have received such assistance from the Red Cross. A brief ceremony was held outside Roberts newly re-roofed home to mark the occasion.

According to the emotional mother, after Hurricane Ivan damaged her home, she was visited by a team from the Red Cross that promised to assist her in repairing the roof. She was forced to put up old galvanise to temporarily cover her damaged home.

Roberts said that this was not an easy time for her since water often came trough the temporary covering on the house. The Red Cross presently has 25 teams throughout the island giving assistance to needy persons.

Director of French Red Cross, Antoine Peigney, who travelled to Grenada for the occasion told the small gathering that when there is a need for rescue they have a moral duty to offer their assistance. He took the opportunity to encourage people to always be prepared, knowing that the last two hurricanes to hit Grenada were not the first and will not be the last.

Peigney said he hopes that after the reconstruction process is completed on the island, he would like to maintain a close working relationship with Grenada. Vice Director of GRCS, Marjorie Stratchan described the occasion as a red letter day for the organisation, while stressing that the accomplishment is a significant one.
She was very thankful to their overseas partners because without their inputs the projects undertaken in Grenada would not have been possible.

Red Cross official, Emeline Decoray said that they have worked on much more houses than they had expected to do on the island. She said that what they do is not only re-roof these damaged homes but also strengthen the entire structure.
It was disclosed that 100 more homes will be fitted with new roof by the Red Cross.
According to Garvin White, Head of the Mission, if the Grenada Government is willing to give them financial assistance after completing these 100 homes then they will be willing to continue giving assistance to persons still in need.

All homes being re-constructed by the Red Cross are being built in accordance with the Canada and St Lucia Building Codes which means that they are built to withstand hurricane force winds. GRCS has been carrying out a Community Housing Recovery Programme since the passage of Hurricane Ivan.

It includes emergency relief, emergency shelter (distribution of tarpaulins and galvanized sheeting) and agricultural support to small farmers.