Establishment of Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund
The Ministry of Finance has established the "Government of Grenada Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund". The fund which is open to support from local, regional, and international contributors has been set up to help the country and its people recover from the ravages of Hurricane Ivan which struck on September 7, 2004. According to a release from the Ministry of Finance, persons wishing to make donations may send their contributions directly to the Bank of Nova Scotia account number 3000978. Contributions can also be sent to the Accountant General, Ministry of Finance, the Carenage, St. George’s. Cheques should be made payable to: "Government of Grenada Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund".

Meeting of Insurance companies and Mnistry of Finance
Policy holders with claims, whose property have been damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, should contact their insurance companies immediately. Information from the Ministry of Finance indicates that insurance companies in Grenada have re-opened and ready for business. The release advises policy holders, who are uncertain about how to proceed with their claims, to contact their insurance representative for advice and counselling. At a meeting with the Ministry of Finance, insurance representatives confirmed that already over 3,000 claims have been received from property owners in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. With heightened prospect for more claims within the next few weeks, loss adjusters are currently in the country assessing the claims and advising insurance companies on settlement. The release also indicates that the insurance companies have already notified re-insurers of the catastrophe and are receiving full cooperation. It is estimated that most claims should be settled within six to 12 weeks. At the meeting, officials from the insurance industry and the Ministry of Finance agreed on the need for the full adoption of the building code to ensure the repairs and reconstruction of properties result in more hurricane resistant and resilient structures.

Socio-Economic Assessment completed
A comprehensive macro socio-economic assessment of the impact of Hurricane Ivan on Grenada has been completed. The report estimates damage in the region of EC$2.4 billion of which housing accounted for $1.4 billion, tourism $406 million, education $196 million, and agriculture $100 million. Particular attention would be given to the direct, indirect, and secondary effects of Hurricane Ivan. According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, as a result of the hurricane, Grenada’s economy which was growing at a rate of 4.7 percent will now decline by at least one per cent in 2004. It further notes that the immediate engines of growth will be construction, agriculture, and cruise tourism. The report concluded that this period is a valuable opportunity for Grenada to rebuild to reduce the vulnerability of risk. It also stated that Grenada needs to establish a mechanism to coordinate the rebuilding process. The report which was presented to the Grenada Cabinet recently, is now in circulation. A copy of the report was presented on October 5, 2004 to the international donor community in Washington D.C. at a specially organized donor conference for Grenada. A copy of the reported can be downloaded at http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/2004-09-07_OECS_Grenada_Report.pdf .

Fruitful tour
Prime Minister Dr The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has described as extremely fruitful, his just ended tour of the United States, seeking assistance to rebuild the ravaged country, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Speaking to reporters on his return this afternoon, Dr. Mitchell said he is deeply touched by the tremendous outpouring of support from donor agencies and friendly countries. The feeling he said is that the country does not need loans, but grants at this time. Dr. Mitchell said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is committing between US$8 and US$10 million as budgetary support to the Government, while the IDB through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is providing a loan of US$2.2 million. The interest rate he says is two per cent over a forty-year period. He said the United States, Canada, and England, which have been very much involved in the current relief programme, are also providing additional support. Canada is providing an additional CDN$4 million in grant support, while England is contributing £3 million sterling to the process. The Grenadian leader said the United States, which already disbursed over US$3 million to the relief effort, is working out a significant package for Grenada. He said a US$50 million package is been prepared by the US Congress for the three Caribbean countries affected by the hurricane. These are Grenada, Jamaica, and Haiti. Prime Minister Mitchell said Grenada is expected to get the largest share of the package.

Support for University students
Prime Dr The Honourable Minister Mitchell has been able to secure support for local students to continue their studies at universities around the world.  It was feared that Ivan, which severely battered the country on September 7, 2004, would have made it virtually impossible for students to meet their commitments. This was one of the issues discussed at the meeting of donor agencies yesterday in Washington. Governments and Agencies have decided to make available a financial package to students studying at universities in the United States, Canada, England, Cuba, the University of the West Indies and at the St. George’s University in Grenada. Prime Minister Mitchell said the support for students could run for a year or two.  He said names of universities would have to be forwarded to the donor agencies and governments. Prime Minister Mitchell said the University of the West Indies has also indicated that it will be waving tuition fees for Grenadian students. However he did not say for how long.

Powell in Grenada
US Secretary of State Collin Powell makes a brief official visit of Hurricane-stricken Grenada October 6, 2004. The high-ranking US official will spend about 90 minutes in the country. He is expected to arrive at 11:55 in the morning and will meet with Prime Minister Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell. The US Secretary of State will also hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mitchell at the Point Salines International at 12:30 in the afternoon. He will hopefully disclose the amount of money the US is providing to Grenada to help in the reconstruction of the country. The US Congress is currently processing US$50 million for the three Caribbean countries battered by Hurricane Ivan: Grenada, Jamaica, and Haiti. The US official will also tour the SSU camp, which has been the main distribution centre of food and relief supplies, during the crisis. He is also expected to meet with the US Embassy staff in St. George’s and Bridgetown, before departing at 1:45 in the afternoon.

UN Appeal raises 27 million
The UN Flash Appeal for Grenada, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, is said to have raised in excess of US$27 million. That’s according to Government officials.The UN made the appeal to member countries, following the destruction of the country on September 7th, 2004. Damage to the country has estimated in the range of EC$2.3 billion. The money will be used to help in the reconstruction and redevelopment of the country. Meanwhile, the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP) will shortly be setting up an office in Grenada, to help in the reconstruction of the country. Local officials are hopeful that the UNDP office here would work closely with the Agency for National reconstruction and Development to rebuild the country. The UNDP says it will be involved in the construction of 33 primary schools, following the devastation of Hurricane Ivan, which battered schools. The UNDP will also be providing US$10 million in emergency support to help in the rebuilding of other areas.