Cruise lines continue to give back in the Caribbean and now MSC Cruises has donated a pre-fabricated school building to one of the islands hit by the hurricanes.
As part of MSC’s global relief efforts in the Caribbean following the recent hurricanes, MSC, along with members of the government of the British Virgin Islands, welcomed and dedicated a new, 4,000 square-foot, pre-fabricated building that will serve as a school on the island of Virgin Gorda.
With all 15 schools destroyed in the British Virgin Islands, this new school will allow the children of the island to focus on the future and continue their education. This donation from MSC Crusies is one of many ways the family-owned company is working to help support the Caribbean and its people through global resources.
Dona Regis, CEO, Tortola Pier Park adds, “We are honored to work with MSC to bring their donation of a much needed, prefabricated building to life for use as a school in the British Virgin Islands. This donation will allow our children to continue their education and focus on the future. It is with deep and heartfelt gratitude that we say thank you to MSC as we continue to rebuild a stronger island.”
To date, MSC Cruises has tapped its global network of partners to ship goods, including water, food, medical supplies, building materials, mattresses and empty containers for shelter and safety use to the islands of Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands and Dominica. This effort includes shipment of materials through cargo containers provided by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, ferries provided by GNV, MSC’s ferry division, as well as external partners to deliver essentials to the islands.
As one example, due to the catastrophic consequence of no power across many islands, MSC Cruises provided shipping services specifically to bring emergency lighting from Cyalume Technologies to the people who needed it most in Puerto Rico.
While most cruise ports in the region are now open for business, MSC Cruises continues to work with credible and connected partners to assist in restoring islands in the area, working to create a better and stronger Caribbean for the future.
Richard Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA, gave the following statement: “It is our responsibility as a family-owned company in the seafaring business for more than 300 years, to come to the aid of our family, friends and neighbors in dire times.
This donation is one of many ways we are working to set the industry standard to help those who need it most and we’re proud to utilize our global resources to assist as the Caribbean works to recover and rebuild.”
