BPTT plays role in Haiti relief
Release date:
05 February 2010
As the recovery effort continues in Haiti, bpTT is playing its part by sending much-needed supplies to the earthquake-stricken nation.
A shipload of water, medicine, food and building supplies left Trinidad and Tobago on Friday January 1 The shipment was organized by bpTT which partnered with other organisations to fill the four 20-foot and four 40-foot containers.
BPTT employees played their role by donating foodstuff and other supplies which were also included in the containers. The shipment will be handed over to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica which is coordinating Caricom’s relief effort.
On January 12, Haiti suffered a powerful 7.0 earthquake which devastated parts of the country, including the capital Port-au-Prince. The event sparked a humanitarian effort that has included the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.
“I was amazed at the response of our employees to contribute to the Haiti Relief effort. Employees gave of their time and ideas very generously and we were able to mount a response that spanned the country and other Caribbean islands,” said Mushtaq Mohammed, senior bpTT manager who coordinated the company’s relief efforts. “We also received tremendous support from the community, especially the membership of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce. We were all motivated by the feeling of helping a Caribbean neighbour in need.”
The BP group has been part of the effort, donating US$100,000 to the American Red Cross to provide emergency aid. The company is also matching donations made by employees through the BP Foundation.
Getting the supplies to Jamaica took close collaboration among a number of different organisations, from donating supplies, to providing transport, to doing the paperwork, to packing the containers.
BPTT and the other organisations also purchased the containers that were sent with the intention of donating them to the relief effort. This means that they will remain in Haiti and could be used as offices or housing.
It doesn’t stop there. BPTT was due to send two more containers by February 6. That shipment will include 700 solar lanterns that bpTT has sourced from Tata BP Solar, a solar arm of BP’s Alternative Energy business.
“Our original intention was to formulate an emergency plan to meet the immediate needs of the people of Haiti, however we were overwhelmed with support and have planned a more sustained campaign,” Mohammed said. “Thus far eight land and sea containers have been shipped and another two will be shipped next week. I express my sincerest thanks to all the people that made this effort possible.”
