The Parliamentary Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has re activated its local bank account aimed at raising funds to assist sister Caribbean islands affected by natural disasters.

The decision was influenced by the recent passage of Hurricane Dean which created havoc in the islands of Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Dominica.

In making the announcement, Political Leader of the Congress party, Tillman Thomas told reporters at a press conference that his party reactivated the fund by placing EC $1,000.00 into the account set up at the Grenada Cooperative Bank Limited.

Thomas recalled that in 2005, NDC launched the hurricane fund to assist those who suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina in the United States which devastated some of the areas populated by blacks.

He said that Grenadians contributed substantially to the fund and as a result the party was able to hand over EC$5,000.00 to the American Red Cross. Thomas sees the party's contribution to those Caribbean countries now affected as being reciprocal in light of past assistance given to Grenada.

He recalled that when the island suffered from  Hurricane Ivan in 2004 the support and assistance received were massive from regional neighbours. "Our Caribbean neighbours, international agencies, they all came to our assistance. So today, we of the National Democratic Congress want to relaunch that hurricane fund to assist our neighbours in St. Lucia, Dominica, Martnique and Jamaica," he said.

The NDC leader made a special appeal to all Grenadians to contribute to the fund. The account number is 100003396. The opposition leader said that contributions can also be made at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Green Street, St. George's.
Apart from monetary contributions that are welcome, Thomas said that his party was informed that in Dominica there is need for planting material.

Thomas used the media conference to publicly express thanks to Almighty God "for sparing us from the devastation of Hurricane Dean."