About Antigua and Barbuda Relief Canada
The purpose of the Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada, will be to provide Emergency Relief Assistance – Financial, Material, Technical and or Advisory to the Country and Residents of Antigua and Barbuda in the event of any major National emergency or disaster situation resulting from national disasters, fire, disease or other.
Our organization always appreciates the generosity and involvement of people like you, with every contribution going towards making Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada an even better Non-Profit Organization than it already is. We want to provide you with the correct and appropriate information pertaining to your mode of support, so don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.
Between 2010 and 2020, Antigua and Barbuda suffered through no less than 4 hurricanes. Help us be proactive and make emergency relief supplies be available before the next one strikes. Donate NOW!
Our Mission
ABERC will continue networking to partner with others, who are passionate about disaster relief, while working to reduce the the stress and hardship that disasters cause.
Our Vision
The vision for ABERC for is us to be in a position to assist the people of Antigua and Barbuda in cases of national disasters.
Our Board Members
John Mills
President - Trustee
Brenetta Nedd
Vice President - Trustee
Eric Williams
Secretary/Treasurer - Trustee
Ann-Marie Layne
Consulate General Representative
Anette Huggins
Board Member
Patsy Henry
Board Member
Rev. Rowan Simmons
Board Member
Eric Delfish
Project Co-Ordinator - Board Member
Pascal Joseph
Board Member
William Silcott
Board Member
Dalma Hill
Board Member (based in Antigua)
A bit about us
The Antigua and Barbuda Hurricane Relief Fund was established in the wake of the devastation by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. At that time members of the diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area, and the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Toronto came together to organize a relief effort. There was another successful relief effort in response to Hurricanes Luis in 1995. In 1998 the fund was officially renamed “The Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Fund” and registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charitable entity under registration number 889758579RR0001. The change of focus facilitated a response to other emergencies. The monies that remained from these efforts were used to financially support the Fund.
The Fund is guided by a Constitution and a Trust Agreement. The constitution calls for management by a “10‐member governing body: 3 members appointed by the Antigua & Barbuda Association of Toronto, 6 members drawn from the wider Antigua and Barbuda community or other groups and 1 member from the Consulate General staff. The purpose, function and structure are outlined in The Constitution is: “to provide emergency relief assistance – financial, material, technical and advisory – to the country and residents of Antigua and Barbuda in the event of any major national emergency or disaster situation resulting from natural disasters, fire, disease or other.” Over the years the committee has voluntarily managed The Fund, including annual tax filing with CRA. Lessons learnt from previous relief efforts did help with the process and execution of the recent relief effort.
The support for Hurricane Irma Relief Effort has been “overwhelming”. A number of timely interviews were conducted to convey the devastation and Relief Efforts to the mainstream and local Canadian Community. This included National & Local Television, Radio and Newspaper.
Immediately after Hurricane Irma had battered Barbuda, members of the Antigua and Barbuda Association and the Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda sprang into action. Both stakeholders collaborated to host a community information session to update the diaspora on relief and recovery efforts in Barbuda. The information session was held on Saturday, 9th September 2017, at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA). It was well attended.
The collection of funds and relief supplies for Barbuda commenced immediately with Sea Jamaica Shipping Ltd being the prime drop off depot. Tropicana Community Services and Harriet Tubman Community Organization were other drop off points
The volunteer support was GREAT – thanks to those who contributed in any way. Intense Sorting and Packing operation went into motion for the next 4 Thursdays and on Weekends following the information session. Over 100 volunteers showed up on the peak weekends. Some volunteers attended all 3 days and some even came to the warehouse after church on Sundays. Based on the quantity of donations received we were averaging a 40-foot containers (1800 cu ft.) per week. There was “good support” for the hurricane relief efforts outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A substantial donation from Napanee Ontario was redirected to the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Montreal for shipment as we kept in contact with the Montreal operation.
We also worked closely with the organizers of emergency relief supplies for Dominica and supported their efforts with additional donations received and shared some donations as requested by some donors.
Financial donation is ongoing to: the Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Fund at any branch of the Royal Bank of Canada (Transit Number: 06402 – Account Number: 1005040).
About Our Funds
Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada (formerly Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Fund) became a Registered Charity (8897 58579RR0001) in 1989. Maintaining our status with Canada Revenue Agency is extremely important to us and as requested, our annual income tax returns have been filed and are available to the general public on their website.
Our funds are derived mainly from donations by individuals in the diaspora, responding to appeals for assistance after the occurrence of a declared national emergency in Antigua and Barbuda.
The 12 month period following September 2017, after the passage of Hurricane Irma, was the period that created the best response to our appeals and thanks to the help of a few institutions and large donors, we were able to raise in excess of $90,000.
As a result, we were in an excellent position to be able to provide over 90% of our revenue to assist in the rebuilding of the Holy Trinity School in Barbuda.
We remain ready to receive donations either by way of the DONATE button this site, or via CanadaHelps.ca, and look forward to receiving yours.
How can I help Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada?
You can sign up to be placed on the volunteer list, and when there is a need you will be notified; You can become a donor, donating anytime you wish or you can contact us at aberc.ca if you have new ideas that you want to share.
Do you accept donations from persons living outside Canada?
Yes, donations are accepted by e-transfer to Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada.
Do you guys give cash to residents of Antigua and Barbuda to help with their emergency repairs?
No. As a Canadian Registered Charity, we are prohibited from making cash donations.
How does your relief organization distribute donated relief supplies to residents in Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada is not involved in the distribution of its donations. Once the shipment arrives in Antigua and has been cleared of all the necessary formalities, our local representative will turn the shipment over to NODS for safe keeping and distribution to local agents and/or individuals as they see fit.
How long have you been in existence?
We started as Antigua and Barbuda Hurricane Relief Committee, and became recognized as a Charity with CRA in September of 1989 as Antigua and Barbuda Hurricane Relief Fund and in 2020 became Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Relief Canada.
Do any individuals from Antigua and Barbuda actually control, manage or run your charity?
ABERC is controlled, managed and run by 3 Trustees and 9 Board Members; all of whom are Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda who have migrated to Canada. In addition, there are several dozens of Nationals and friends on whom we rely to assist us when there is an emergency at home.
Are Canadian residents permitted to send relief supplies to relatives in Antigua and Barbuda through your organization?
All emergency relief supplies sent by ABERC are sent to National Office of Disaster Service, for distribution based on their distribution protocol.
