Residential children homes in Grenada will soon have better conditions for children thanks a donation of US$100,000 by the US-based Johnson and Johnson Foundation, which will go towards the Belair Home, Dorothy Hopkins Home, the Father Mallaghan Home and the Queen Elizabeth home, which were all severely damaged by the passage of Hurricane Ivan on 07 September. The Ministry of Social Development has welcomed this donation and noted that it will ensure that children in need of special care and protection are in safe and protective environments. "We are indeed happy for the assistance by international corporate citizens who have seen the need to assist children in need of special care and protection." Stated Arlene Daniel, Acting Chief Welfare Officer. "This donation will definitely go a long way in ensuring children are protected." She added. The distribution of the funds will be based on the recommendations made by a committee comprising of representatives from the following: the four residential homes, the Director of the Child Welfare Authority of the Ministry of Social Development, the NCH, Grenada Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic, the National Coordinator of Reconstruction and a representative from the UNICEF Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. UNICEF Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean – Jean Gough – applauded the contribution made by the Johnson and Johnson Foundation. "The donation could not have come at a better moment," she said. "It has been five months since the hurricane has passed and these funds will contribute to improving their living conditions" She however added that more money was still needed for the homes and hopes that other agencies and foundations will follow the lead of the Johnson and Johnson Foundation. Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Ms. Maggie Ross, Executive Officer of the Belair Home, thanked the Johnson and Johnson Foundation for its generous response and stated that this financial assistance will definitely helped all the homes in carrying out "this very essential work." She also added that: "We [the Belair Home] are very proud to have been selected as the management partner for this project." For more information please contact: Child Welfare Authority (473) 435-0293 Maggie Ross, Executive Officer, The Belair Home (473) 407-0602 Heather Stewart, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (246) 467-6155 Reprinted from reliefweb.int