Despite working as a journalist for more than three decades, sometimes a story comes along and just sucker punches me.

Tropical Storm Erika’s a good example.

It was just a few months ago that I was in Dominica, with my wife, my two sisters, and two friends. We commented on how poor the country was, but how cheerful the people seemed.

And now at least 20 are dead – with 30 more missing. And in a chilling turn of phrase, we are being told “they are not expected to be found.”

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the island has been set back 20 years by the damage inflicted in the storm, which dumped 15 inches, or 40 cm, of rain in just a scant few hours.

He told his mountainous island nation that the extent of the devastation is monumental – far worse than expected. Hundreds of homes, bridges and roads have been destroyed, and effectively Dominica needs to be rebuilt.

So this week, instead of our usual feature, I give you photos taken just 4 months apart. The first show you the quiet, understated sweet beauty of Dominica – then the damage wrought, and the heartbreaking task ahead of this impoverished Caribbean island.

When you’ve seen the photos, I’ll give you the bank details of appeals for relief. If you’ve ever been to Dominica, or had it on your bucket list … well, you know what to do.

Those images were all taken on a port visit to Dominica, in April this year.

But compare this photo of the Berean Bible Church, taken as we walked into the town of Roseau, with the same church in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika.

(CairnsCommunications)

http://dominicanewsonline.com

http://dominicanewsonline.com

And these images, mostly taken by social media users, in the aftermath of Erika …

Image from dominicanewsonline.com/

Image from dominicanewsonline.com/

Image from dominicanewsonline.com/

Image from dominicanewsonline.com/

(There are many more post-Erika photos at http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/accidents-tragedy/focus-is-search-and-rescue-efforts-following-erika-says-pm )

If you wish to donate, the details are

US Dollars (USD)
Federal Reserve Bank (NY)
SWIFT: FRNYUS33
ECCB’s account number at the FED: 021083695
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Bank of England
SWIFT: BKENGB2L
ECCB’s account number at Bank of England: 40920003
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

EURO
Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Favour: Crown Agents Bank
SWIFT: CRASGB2L
Account No: 9608217
IBAN: DE35500700100960821700
ECCB’s Account Number at Crown Agents: 33792403
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

Canadian Dollars (CAD)
Bank of Canada
SWIFT: BCANCAW2
ECCB’s account number at Bank of Canada: 30641-1
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

XCD
ECCB: ECCBKNSK
Government of Dominica BIC code GVDMDMDM
For Government of Dominica call account 310301005
Government of Dominica Development Aid Account
Account Number. 11500272
National Bank of Dominica
64 Hillsborough Street
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
SWIFT CODE NCDMDMDM

The island nation WILL recover, of course .. because resilience and hope for the future seems part of the DNA of those living in the West Indies.

And when the tourist season begins again at the end of the year, valuable dollars – and euros – will begin to flow once again.

But the unspoiled beauty of Dominica has taken a hit, and it could be some time before infrastructure can be rebuilt.

All I can hope is that when it does, visitors again will get the chance to sample this lovely Leeward Islands gem.