LASCO TEAMS UP WITH CHILEAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE HURRICANE DEAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE

WHITE MARL, JAMAICA – August 28, 2007: In a joint ceremony today, the LASCO Group of Companies and the Chilean Ambassador to Jamaica made significant donations of food products totalling just under $2.5 million, to persons who have suffered tremendous losses, as a result of Hurricane Dean.

LASCO has presented $2 million worth of corned beef supplies to the Red Cross and Food for the Poor, as part of its efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Dean with their food and nutritional needs.  

The Chilean Ambassador His Excellency Alfonso Silva has also donated $360 thousand ($360,000) worth of LASCO Mackerel to the Red Cross for its Hurricane Recovery Programme. LASCO imports Mackerel from Chile and in order to meet the urgent needs of the Hurricane Victims, the Chilean Embassy in the island took the decision to purchase stocks from LASCO, since additional supplies from that country are not available to the Embassy at this time. Currently Chile is assisting earthquake victims in Peru, so relief supplies would take sometime to reach Jamaica.

“We have a long standing relationship with LASCO the major distributor of Chilean Mackerel and… we are partnering with them to provide relief for Jamaican families,” commented Ambassador Silva. 

Speaking during the presentation ceremony at LASCO’s White Marl offices, Ambassador Silva said the donation of the LASCO Mackerel on behalf of the people of Chile, is the first of several recovery measures, which will be undertaken by his country.  

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated some areas in which Jamaica’s hurricane recovery programme needs assistance, and within a few days the government of Chile will be making available to the island, medicines and additional foodstuff,” announced Ambassador Silva.

Additionally, he explained that this year, instead of hosting the special National Day celebrations on September 11, the Chilean Embassy in Jamaica would be re-channelling the financing for that ceremony to assist the hurricane victims.

Honourable Lascelles Chin in commenting on his company’s donation indicated that LASCO stands ready to help the people of Jamaica during their time of greatest need. “The LASCO family expresses heartfelt concerns to all Jamaicans who lost loved ones, their houses and or property during Hurricane Dean. We want to help them in whatever way we can in the recovery and rebuilding process, hence our donation of corned beef,” stated Mr. Chin.

Complimenting the Red Cross and Food for the Poor for the work they were doing in Hurricane Assessment and Relief processes, the LASCO CEO expressed confidence that the canned meat being distributed by LASCO would go to the worst hurricane-ravaged areas of the island.

Accepting the donations on behalf of the Red Cross, Dr. Jaslin Salmon, President of that organization, disclosed that the supplies from LASCO and the Chilean government would go to the priority areas of Old Harbour Bay, Portland Cottage and St. Thomas. Deeming LASCO and the people of Chile as “good supporters of the cause for which we stand,” Dr. Salmon remarked, “Anyone who does anything to alleviate the trauma of persons affected by the hurricane is doing well and has our sincere appreciation.”

Bradley Finzi-Smith, Executive Director of Food For the Poor echoed similar sentiments. “Thanks for keeping our poor and less fortunate in mind, noted Mr. Finzi-Smith, “We will be getting it out to Portland Cottage and other areas of Jamaica as a matter of urgency.”

Among some of the other persons who participated in today’s hurricane relief presentation ceremony were: Lois Hue, Deputy Director General, Jamaica Red Cross; Earl Patrick, LASCO’s Group Deputy Managing Director; and Patrick Lawrence, Managing Director of LASCO.