Event at Jamaican Canadian Association Centre

Of the several Grenadian groups in Toronto, only one is completely dedicated to providing emergency relief assistance to the Caribbean nation. That’s Grenada Disaster Preparedness Toronto (GDPT), which is organizing a “Grenada Hurricane Awareness Day’’ next month.

GDPT has been carrying out its mandate since its formation in May 2019. Through relationships with government agencies and widespread community collaborations with organizations such as Global Medic, GDPT was able to mobilize relief supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously providing aid to those affected by natural disasters.

The GDPT’s slogan is, “For the love of nation’’. GDPT, a non-profit organization, has the proven capacity to act in times of crises and emergencies, whether it’s purchasing 55 gallons of hand sanitizers for the transport sector in Grenada, through the island’s bus association.

Members of the group also have donated to Grenada $218,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE), which does not include the 102,000 face masks; rendered humanitarian assistance to those affected by the 2021 volcanic eruption in St. Vincent; and volunteered to pack aid for families affected by conflict and disasters.

At the launch of the organization three years ago, the Grenada government commended members on the goal to “build bridges, create stronger bonds and implement risk-reduction activities’’ to benefit Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The GDPT is now reaching out to the community and inviting the public to next month’s event that combines entertainment with information-sharing.

 The “Grenada Hurricane Awareness Day 2022’’ is on Saturday, June 25, at the Jamaican Canadian Association Centre, 995 Arrow Road. It starts at 11 a.m.

“At this event, we plan on giving the public an update on our stewardship,’’ said GDPT Chairman Unison Joseph. “We’ll let everyone know what we have done for Grenada, as well as the group’s ongoing and upcoming engagements with emergency management communities to enhance disaster preparedness, especially as this year hurricane season has just started. We’ll introduce our committee members and hope others will join GDPT. But, it also will be a fun day with entertainment and an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing work of our organization.’’

GDPT recently achieved another milestone when Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) announced “its commitment to support and subscribe to the goals and ideas” of the Toronto-based group.

GDPT can be contacted at email gdptor@gmail.com; or, on Facebook at Grenada Preparedness and Facebook Page, Grenada Disaster Preparedness Toronto