Persons registering for the Household Assistance program at the designation stations. Photo: Facebook/BVI Red Cross

Following the passage of hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 that displaced many residents, the Multipurpose Sports Centre and Church of God of Prophecy in East End has been used as a shelter. Photo: VINO

The new initiative will be led by the Social Development Department in collaboration with the BVI Red Cross, British Red Cross, the Department of International Development (DFID) and Caritas Antilles.

Individuals who wish to sign up for the programme must meet the following requirements: household must have low to no income, single-parent, women with children ages five years and under, the elderly who are 65 and older and the disabled.

Registration stations

Registration stations can be found at the following locations: On Tortola at the West End Police Station, Sebastians by the Sea, Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Youth Centre, Cane Garden Bay Methodist Church, Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, Road Town Seniors building, Fahie Hill Watch House, New Testament Church of God, East End Community Centre, and the Church of God of Prophecy, Hope Hill. On Virgin Gorda at the North Sound Methodist Church and the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. On Anegada at the Anegada Community Library and on Jost van Dyke at the JVD Police Customs/Police Station.

For persons unable to visit the registration stations, officers will be dispatched into areas to register persons in person.

Mixed views about Household Assistance programme

Speaking with a group of persons residing in the shelters at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex and Church of God of Prophecy in East End, they shared mixed views about the new Household Assistance programme.

One young lady who wished to remain anonymous told our news reporter that the programme seems like a "good idea" but she has some reservations about it.

She said, "Let's say you register and you do not meet all the requirements, what then? Will I not get the assistance because as far as I know most of the people in the BVI were left with nothing."

She further stated that she will sign up for the programme and hopes for the best.

Meanwhile, 40 year old Winston G. Williams, a national of Jamaica questioned if non-belongers will be eligible for the programme.

"I lost everything," said the Jamaican born, while noting that he wants to register but is fearful he will be denied.

"You know how them perceive Jamaicans already and I don't want them to think I am like the others. I come to make a honest living for my family back home and I don't want to leave because a me alone them got," explained Mr Williams.

Speaking with a mother of two girls ages six and seven, she expressed that she might not qualify because her children do not meet the age criteria.

"I mean the low income and single-parent criteria but my two girls are not under five years old," said the mother of two, questioning if a persons has to meet all or some of the requirements.

For more information, the public is advised to monitor the Government of the Virgin Islands Facebook Page, the BVI Red Cross Facebook Page and the Department of Disaster Management Facebook page.