$500K to help families affected by COVID-19

The Barbados Adopt A Family Programme has raised an estimated $500 000 to help families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 1 500 families identified by the Household Mitigation Unit should begin receiving the monetary assistance soon.

Speaking during a COVID-19 update press briefing this morning, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw said though many have been grappling with their own financial circumstances at this time, ordinary Barbadians and businesses have been making monetary contributions to the programme.

“We have started to see the rolling in of funds and the unit has actually started the process of going through the list of persons who have been identified as requiring the assistance, and I know that they are working to be able to get necessary assistance to those households,” she said.

The Acting Prime Minister thanked those who have already contributed to the initiative and said more contributions would be welcomed since the affected families have various needs.

In March, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced the launch of the Programme where she appealed to all Barbadians, including those earning above $100 000 and the business community, to contribute.

At that time, Prime Minister Mottley said that about 5 200 people earned more than $100 000 yearly, and encouraged them and others to make a contribution towards the welfare of these families. (AH)