CrisisShield, a new charity to help provide Hurricane Homes for the Homeless, following Hurricane Ivan's devastation of Grenada, inspired by yachting community. (PRWEB) October 25, 2004 -- On 7th September 2004 the Caribbean island of Grenada was torn apart as “Ivan the Terrible”, a Category 4 hurricane, scored a direct hit. Having long been considered south of the hurricane belt, the island was unprepared for the total devastation inflicted upon it in just a few short hours. Hurricane Ivan caused damage estimated at US$815,000,000 - more than twice the Gross Domestic Produce of Grenada. 95% of the housing stock was damaged 30% of the population are homeless 91% of the forest area and watersheds have been destroyed 95% of nutmeg trees have been uprooted 90% of cash crops have been wiped out 2,000 jobs have been lost in the tourist sector 95% of schools are damaged and inoperable with 30,000 children out of school Although devastated themselves, the yachting community were quick to react to the needs of the Grenadian people, and supported by their colleagues in Trinidad, Barbados and Venezuela, were the first to be successfully delivering food and water to local Grenadians in need. The acute needs of the islanders are now effectively being met by the international aid agencies, but the chronic problems of housing, employment and a future are eating away at what hope is left. Born out of the magnificent response of the yachting community is a new UK, US and Canadian based charity, CrisisShield, which has been formed to specifically address the longer term needs of the island. CrisisShield is urgently setting up a construction facility to offer much needed employment on Grenada and provide hurricane proof “Ivan Houses” for the estimated 30,000 homeless. At the end of the campaign the production facility will be turned over to the Grenadian employees so their employment continues after CrisisShield’s involvement ends. The things that CrisisShield need most to make this happen are financial and voluntary support. You can help by making a one-off donation or a series of 12 monthly contributions to support this year long campaign via their web-site, www.CrisisShield.Org. Yacht based volunteers are also particularly valuable to CrisisShield as your assistance does not exacerbate the housing problems of the island. So if you have any administrative, financial, IT or construction experience, please refer to CrisisShield's web site. CrisisShield is streamlined, effective and determined to make a positive difference to the lives of the many Grenadians who so desperately need help, and would welcome you as part of the team. SOURCE: PRWEB.COM