Winfresh Tropical

Last week one of our colleagues travelled to Dominica to deliver relief supplies directly to our colleagues and their families. Below is a brief personal account of his journey:

“On Friday at 11am, a group comprised of myself, special services unit personnel of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, local Fire and Emergency personnel, two Dominican nationals and members of the Coast Guard left Saint Lucia for Roseau, Dominica.
The vessel was loaded to maximum carrying capacity with relief supplies, including water, food items, non-perishables, personal survival kits, water purification tablets, medication, tarps and generators.

On approach to Roseau, the signs of the recent destruction were very visible, as the island seemed to be covered by a reddish/brownish hue as a result of the majority of the trees having been battered, debarked and stripped of all leaves.
There was smoke emanating from multiple points caused by fires set to burn debris and waste collected by persons helping in the cleaning-up effort.

We were advised to dock in Fond Cole, a familiar site for me as part of the compound was used as a port reception depot for Winfresh produce.
Two miles out from the dock, one could smell the stench left in the wake of the hurricane destruction. Almost every house or physical structure in sight seemed to have been dealt a major blow.
Pulling up to the dock alongside other coast guard and naval vessels involved in the relief effort, we were all taken aback by the scale of the destruction as none of us had ever witnessed such destruction.

Unfortunately, by the time we had docked, it was after 6:00 pm and the mandatory curfew imposed the government had taken effect so most persons who were supposed to receive relief supplies from us were forced to remain at home. However, within minutes of docking the word seemed to have spread and a small crowd had gathered to receive supplies.
Immediately, everyone on board pitched in to start the process of unloading the vessel and distribute the items to those who were there, under the guidance of the captain.
Items were distributed to the Red Cross, Ministry of Health, Fire and Emergency department, Coast Guard and other.

The mobile networks were largely inoperative and so I was unable to get through to any of our colleagues or directors apart from one who eventually came up at the port in order to receive the supplies.

After two trips transporting the supplies to the residence of one of our colleagues, we proceeded to drive to the community of Cochran where another colleague resides.
Although it was very dark because of the island-wide power outage, which is expected to continue until December, I was able to get a first-hand view of the devastating effects of the hurricane.

On the way to Cochran, it was evident that every single house showed signs of significant damage, the most common of which was blown off roof. In some cases, the entire structure was moved or completely destroyed. The roads were littered with fallen lamp poles, power lines, branches and all sorts of debris, and some were rendered completely impassable as they were blocked by silt several feet deep or they had been severely eroded.

We were not able to locate one of our colleagues that night, as his roof was blown off during the storm and he and his family had moved in with other friends and family in the area.

Unable to find him we returned to our first colleague's residence to turn in for the night. His house had also suffered significant damage with a blown off roof but we were able to stay in a ground floor apartment.
The following day we were up early and immediately proceeded back to Cochran with supplies for our colleague there. With the assistance of persons in the neighbourhood, we were finally able to locate him and provided him with some of the supplies, while he shared with us his and his neighbours experiences of the hurricane.

We all returned to the port in Fond Cole for the vessel's 8:00am departure.”

Winfresh are today launching an appeal to the UK's consumer goods companies to help the people of Dominica.
Winfresh works with the UK's leading food retailers and manufacturing companies and is asking them to donate full pallets of products, ranging from food and nappies through to tarpaulins and water purifiers.
Winfresh is approaching its contacts across the industry to gain help and then shipping goods direct to Dominica.

If you know senior personnel at one of the UK's food or building materials companies then let them know of our appeal and put them in contact with us so we can get the right help and supplies to Dominica at this time of desperate need.
https://www.winfresh.net/hurricane-relief/

Helping our friends and families in Dominica... Today we loaded H2O water and tissue paper from Tolyn Manufacturers for immediate dispatch to Dominica. In the UK we loaded four 40ft containers of relief materials donated for Dominica from people all over the UK. There is more to come over the next few weeks - watch this space

Winfresh is endeavoring to forge a relationship with the Caribbean community through which we all gain a fuller appreciation for our local agricultural product! Support local, support Winfresh!

A glimpse at Winfresh's Vincyfresh facilities and staff of Saint Vincent

A glimpse at Winfresh's Grenada Branch, facilities and staff!

A glimpse at Winfresh's UK Staff and Facilities!

A glimpse at Winfresh's Sunfresh Branch of Saint Lucia