The Red Cross Society of China has made available to the Grenada Government a grant of USD 100,000.00 in cash to help with relief work following the passage on Monday of Hurricane Beryl which devastated the two sister isles of Carriacou & Petite Martinique.
The money was handed over Thursday morning by resident Chinese ambassador to St George’s Wei Hongtian at a brief ceremony with Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall.
Hours before the ceremony, Ambassador Wei told THE NEW TODAY, “We hope this money will be helpful for the urgent needs of the victims caused by Hurricane Beryl and we assure Grenadian friends that China is committed to continuing its support.”
“China firmly stands with Grenada and will respond (with) what we can help. We Chinese will respond and provide help and assistance (and) we assure Grenadian people that we remain a good and real friend of you,” he added.
Ambassador Wei went on to say: “We are in solidarity with Grenadian brothers and sisters, and we are sure that by standing together and helping each other, we can get through any storm.”
The Chinese diplomat also played a leading role in mobilising his embassy, as well as Chinese companies operating on the island and all Chinese nationals living in Grenada to donate funds or materials for the relief effort to the National Disaster Agency known as NaDMa.
The Chinese purchased thousands of dollars’ worth of items from local supermarkets.
China is believed to be waiting on the Grenada government to complete its comprehensive assessment of the damage done by the hurricane before offering a substantial aid package to the island.