Help for COVID fight

Tens of thousands of dollars in cash donations are steadily flowing in from Barbadian well-wishers abroad to shore up the coffers of the recently-established private company formed here to assist those affected by the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

While he declined to provide an update to the $2.8 million pledge announced last month, Chairman of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery (Barbados) Inc Andrew Mallalieu told Barbados TODAY this afternoon that the fund was doing very well.

“We are doing very well. People are being very generous,” Mallalieu said.

He said the new company is raising the money specifically to buy medicines to treat those with the virus and purchase equipment to test for the disease.

The real estate mogul disclosed that the non-profit enterprise will also provide financial assistance to persons in Barbados affected by the COVID-19 virus; reimburse the Government of Barbados for expenses directly associated with the COVID-19 virus and provide for the establishment and maintenance of hospitals, healthcare centres and generally to promote healthcare in Barbados.

However, he told Barbados TODAY the entity was facing a challenge.

“I think the challenge is the same that the Government is having – sourcing what they need from overseas. We are just seeking to be able to provide funding for the critical items for the frontline people who are battling the COVID-19,” said the company chair.

“So, we have funds available and as the Government determines the priorities and is able to find the source for those priorities, we are in a position to help them. It is ongoing. The challenge is worldwide. Everyone is trying to get very limited resources that are available,” he added.

Barbados has so far recorded 66 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 3 deaths.

Moving swiftly into action in response to a recent suggestion by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the new charity was incorporated on March 25, with its focus on reaching out to Barbadians overseas as well as locally to help raise money.

However, the chairman assured the country and prospective donors that none of the money raised would go into the pockets of its directors or would be used for any other reason other than for the objectives outlined.

“This charitable effort will have a ZERO administration cost with all funds being used for the objectives above. The Prime Minister has personally nominated the Director of Finance and Economic Affairs (DFE) to our Board. Mr [Ian] Carrington will act as a direct conduit to the Prime Minister’s office so we may be most efficient and responsive,” Mallalieu stated.

“We are tasked to support Government’s effort to fight and treat the virus and we will support the Government’s “Adopt a Family” programme that will be needed to assist families because of the significant financial challenges they will face in our fragile economy,” the company head revealed.

The other directors are high-powered businessmen Mark Maloney (deputy chair); Sir Paul Altman and Queen’s Counsel Barry Gale.

The registered office of the company is at Hastings Attorneys-at-law, “Chelsea House,” Chelsea Road.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb