The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Red Cross Society has noticed an increase in the number of persons requesting assistance in the past year, with as much as a 50 per cent spike in assistance for some programmes.

The organisation has specifically seen an increase in young, single mothers seeking assistance.

Red Cross Society Director General Caroline Turnquest disclosed the details at a press conference on Monday, in an effort to highlight the organisation’s need for more donations.

She explained that categorically, officials have seen a shift in the ages of persons they help – moving from an elderly, gender balanced group to young single mothers, who are now turning to the organisation for assistance.

The Red Cross is as a humanitarian organisation that seeks to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in local communities. In addition to assisting with efforts in the wake of major disasters, the Red Cross has over the years worked to bolster programmes aimed at improving the lives of persons in great need.

One such initiative, the Meals-on-Wheels programme, is designed to deliver a freshly prepared hot meal to scores of elderly and disabled persons throughout the course of the week.

Addressing this particular programme Mrs Turnquest said: “We have seen the numbers escalate, the Meals-on-Wheels programme last year we had some 80 recipients per day, we are now up to 120 per day, as well as those persons walking in, looking for assistance; those numbers have increased.”

This marks a 50 per cent increase in the number of persons being assisted by the programme.

Mrs Turnquest said that as a result of the country’s tough economic climate, persons from all walks of life have reached out to the Red Cross for a range of reasons, adding that due to the varying nature of cases, officials have moved to simplify their process and emphasise sensitivity.

“We try to keep the process very simple and very much on the low-key so that those persons, you know, they have their pride and they don’t want to (seek assistance); but they still need the assistance,” she said.

According to Mrs Turnquest, due to an influx of the number of charities around the country, the Red Cross has seen a steady decline in donations in recent years.

However, she said that the decline has only affected funds donated to assist the Red Cross’ operational expenses and day-to-day programmes.

She said donations for the organisation’s “crisis response” have remained virtually unchanged.

“We are an auxiliary to the Bahamas government and work very closely with the Department of Social Services and we aid persons in need,” she added.

The Red Cross played an integral role in the relief effort following Hurricane Joaquin, often acting as the primary facilitator for efforts on those islands left devastated by the category four storm.

In October, Commonwealth Bank announced a $50,000 donation to the Red Cross. That came on after a donation of goods valued at $25,000 from employees from the Solomon’s Super Centre, Solomon’s Fresh Market and Cost Right which are all subsidiaries of AML Foods Ltd.

Officials on Monday estimated that the operational expenses of the Red Cross Society total between $550,000 and $600,000 a year.