Charities to benefit from insurance initiative

Four of this island’s key charitable organisations are in line for major assistance from a local insurance company as they continue to face difficulties in meeting a growing need because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, Trident Insurance (Barbados), a member of the ANSA McAL Group, announced the launch of its Policies to Empower People initiative, which will assist Verdun House, the RSPCA, Variety the Children’s Charity and the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness.

The initiative, which starts on September 1 and will run until December 31, 2021, is expected to raise between $30 000 and $40 000 from a percentage of the premiums of new and renewed policies.

Chief Executive Officer of Trident Insurance David Alleyne told reporters that the initiative will be reviewed at the end of the four-month period and, depending on its success, it could be extended.

Declaring that the Policies to Empower People initiative will provide some much-needed support to the four charities, Alleyne said Trident policyholders would choose the charity to benefit from their payment.

This does not result in any changes in premiums.

Alleyne said Trident was compelled to provide this kind of assistance despite the company also having to battle the negative effects of the pandemic.

“To be honest, this is not the best year for private sector companies to be very generous. As we are all aware, the country has been severely affected by several natural events that have caused widespread damage to property. As a company we have responded to our obligations but we felt we needed to do more,” he said.

The insurance executive noted that the country has been under significant economic and social strain and Government was not in a position to provide all the assistance needed.

“On the verge of swearing in a Barbadian as the Head of State, our country is reeling under the weight of influences and circumstances which really have not been our own making. There has never been an extended period in Barbados’ history where we have needed to support one another more than now in our 55th year,” said Alleyne.

Acknowledging that many citizens are struggling and are in “dire need” of assistance, he added: “While we are waiting for our population to be vaccinated and for our tourism product to return to pre-COVID levels we need to support and help one another.”

Representatives of the charities expressed thanks for the assistance, saying it will play a major role in filling a gap created by the pandemic.

They reported that as a result of the pandemic, they have had to make some changes to their operation as they fight to keep their doors open. (MM)