Norwegian sailors unlikely Christmas elves for Dominica in wake of Hurricane Maria

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A group of Norwegian sailors have run a donation campaign raising nearly US$5000 to support the Commonwealth of Dominica, a small-island nation hit by the category five Hurricane Maria on the 18 September.

The sailors from Oslo invited other sailing enthusiasts to an evening of Caribbean entertainment and talks, with topics ranging from sailing in the Caribbean, tropical hurricanes and the effects of climate change.

The United Nations estimated that of the 26,085 houses on the island, an estimated 23,488 houses are moderately or highly damaged, or destroyed.

Practised sailor Tuva Lรธkse spoke of her experiences sailing the Caribbean sea and her urge to give back to Dominica:

โ€œA number of Norwegian sailors have over the years enjoyed sailing in the Caribbean sea, visiting many of the wonderful windward islands.

โ€œSome of us especially fell in love with the beautiful nature island of Dominica.

โ€œWe wanted to give something back to the warm and hospitable people of Dominica in their efforts to rebuild the Island after Hurricane Maria.โ€

The group have transferred ยฃ3676 GBP to the Dominica Hurricane Maria Relief Fund โ€“ the Commonwealth of Dominicaโ€™s official fundraising channel established by Dominicaโ€™s High Commission in the United Kingdom.

Lรธkse says she is determined to keep the fundraising efforts going:

โ€œWe hope to inspire other sailing communities in Scandinavia to do the same. And we hope to visit again sometime in the future.โ€

On a recent visit to survey of the island HRH Prince Charles said the damage โ€œlooked like Armageddon had struck.โ€
The Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, who was among those left homeless following the natural disaster, has pledged to rebuild the country into the worldโ€™s first climate resilient nation.

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Chief Assignment editor is Oleg Siziakov

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