Remi Christen is the owner and managing director of 
Rum and Reggae Event for Hurricane Relief
On September 6th the British Virgin Islands took a direct hit by hurricane Irma, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic and changed the islands and the lives of its people forever.
For more than 6 hours people had to endure record-breaking winds of up to 300 km per hour and they were literally fighting for their lives. As they emerged from their hidings, some were huddled up in their shower cubicles with a mattress over their heads, they were met by complete destruction.
Much like the hurricane’s force itself, the aftermath is unprecedented. 80% of homes and buildings across the islands are damaged, some beyond recognition with roofs ripped off, windows and doors blown out and furniture scattered far and wide. The once lush green hills looked like a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Homes, hotels, restaurants, businesses, public buildings and schools had been decimated and many people have lost their homes, businesses, livelihoods and jobs. The hotel, tourism, cruise and yachting industry, which makes up about 45% of the GDP has come to a standstill.
Thousands of people are still unaccounted for, most of the islands still have no to little electricity and no running water. Let’s help people rebuild their lives and communities!
What: Rum Tasting, Cocktails, Caribbean Music & Silent Auction
Date: Saturday, December 2nd, 2017
Time: 19.00 – 24.00 hours
Location: Launchlabs, Gundeldingerfeld (Halle 8), Dornacherstrasse 192, 4053 Basel
Tickets: CHF 60.- and CHF 70.- at the door
Program: 19.00: Arrival and Welcome drink
19.30: Presentation BVI, hurricanes and relief efforts
presented by Simone Aïda Baur of Global Inspirations Design
20.30 till 21.30: Silent Auction
24.00: Closing of event
Drinks: Rum Tasting, Rum Cocktails, Beers and drinks
Food: Caribbean food (TBC)
Music: Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and Calypso
Silent Auction with more than 15 items for a total value of over CHF 15'000!
Proceeds from ticket sales, silent auction and donations will be sent to the British Virgin Islands Rotary Club in Tortola, BVI for their ongoing project helping rebuild the islands's infrastructure and caring for those who are uninsured and have lost their homes and entire belongings. This event is 100% non profit.