Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 07, 2021 (SKNIS): Close to 4,000 persons in St. Kitts have benefited from the Ministry of Social Development’s care package initiative since it was introduced in late May 2021.
Permanent Secretary Janelle Lewis Tafari gave a breakdown of the numbers at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Briefing on July 07.
“Since the 28th of May, 3,814 persons have benefited from the food hampers and hot meals,” she stated.
The number of households that applied for assistance was 1,236. Of that number, 346 households contained persons in quarantine or isolation. Several of these households received care packages on more than one occasion based on the length of quarantine/isolation. The additional 890 households receiving assistance qualified as a result of individuals that suffered a loss of income or reduced income due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the lockdown period.
Mrs. Lewis Tafari stated that deliveries will continue on Thursday and Friday, which are days of limited operations in St. Kitts and Nevis. As such, persons who are not in quarantine or isolation are allowed to leave their homes to conduct essential business after the past few days of full lockdown. The permanent secretary appealed to persons who have yet to receive a food hamper to make every effort to remain accessible.
“If you must leave your home tomorrow and Friday, please keep your phones close to hand as our drivers will be calling you for directions to your home,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary of the care package initiative publicly thanked the hard-working staff of the ministry and the government by extension, for this meaningful social intervention programme.
“The food and care packages are amazing. The sacrifices made during this time are commendable, and the persons they have served, like myself, are forever grateful. Kudos to all who continue to play a part in this rewarding endeavour,” the beneficiary said in a message read during the NEOC briefing.
