The devastation wrought by hurricanes throughout the region in 2004 left an indelible mark on hundreds of Caribbean homes.

FirstCaribbean was among corporate donors who provided funding assistance to Jamaica, Grenada, The Bahamas and The Cayman Islands, the countries hardest hit by the maelstroms. From September 15, 2004, FirstCaribbean International mobilised its resources around the Caribbean to respond to the challenges posed by the aggressive weather systems around the region.

To assist in the rebuilding effort the FirstCaribbean Foundation halted spending on all of its Sponsorship and Community Relations projects, in order to use available funds for the relief effort in the various islands. The Foundation oversees regional Sponsorships and Community Relations activities.

Our Chairman, Michael Mansoor said: ”We are an integral part of the many communities throughout the region, not only through the significant numbers of staff we have in each location, but also through our involvement in these countries. We share in the simultaneous feelings of distress at the damage caused and determination to rebuild. We are proud to be a part of that effort.”

The Plan
In partnership with the Emergency Response Fund of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) and our heritage partners, FirstCaribbean mounted a comprehensive response in countries affected by the recent passage of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan. Not only did the Bank implement programmes to assist disadvantaged staff, but it assisted its customers in the affected countries on several different levels:

• On the regional level, the day after Hurricane Ivan, US$75, 000 was donated to the Caribbean Disaster Response Agency (CDERA) for immediate assistance. A further US$400,000 was committed to the recovery effort in The Bahamas, Jamaica, The Cayman Islands and Grenada.
• In addition, several accounts were opened across our banking network on behalf of CDERA, into which the people of the Caribbean donated funds to assist with the massive recovery that was necessary.
• Further, through our Barbados Country Management team, FirstCaribbean collaborated with The Starcom Network in Barbados and Rotary International to host a very successful radiothon that raised over BDS$1 M in pledges for Grenada.
• FirstCaribbean’s “heritage” partners, CIBC and Barclays Bank PLC joined with Caribbean colleagues in contributing funding for the rebuilding effort. CIBC and Barclays both made a donation of US$100,000 to help fund emergency relief efforts throughout the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Ivan.