ECFH Responds in the Wake of Tomas

November 12, 2010

Hurricane Tomas has wreaked tremendous damage to the people and infrastructure of Saint Lucia. The social and financial cost to the island is on an unprecedented scale and it will take years to rebuild the most adversely affected areas such as Soufriere. The Government of Saint Lucia cannot accomplish this on its own and needs the support of the private sector. The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company (ECFH) recognizes this and has been doing its part in the recovery effort. 

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the first priority of ECFH’s management was to ensure that all staff members were safe and accounted for. Immediately after the hurricane, A management team went to Soufriere to assess the situation of staff and the condition of the Bank of Saint Lucia branch there. Once these issues were handled, the next priority was to restore services as quickly as possible so that customers could have access to their funds. ECFH’s Information Management and Technological Services (IMTS) team worked hard to restore all ATMs, point-of-sale devices and internet banking. Bank of Saint Lucia’s Soufriere and Vieux Fort branches were operational within days after the passage of Tomas.

The Group has been assisting various entities who have been working hard in the relief effort. Shortly after the hurricane, ECFH donated relief supplies to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), and staff members volunteered by assisting RISE and the Saint Lucia Red Cross with its distribution of supplies. The Group also made a further donation of supplies to the Salvation Army as part of its humanitarian efforts. ECFH is committed to playing its role as a responsible corporate citizen as Saint Lucia seeks to rebuild and recover in the weeks and months ahead.

Contact: Corporate Communications
Tel: 457 7259