UK Jamaicans mobilise to assist country in aftermath of Hurricane Melissa

LONDON:

The UK Jamaican diaspora community has mobilised in great numbers to assist Jamaicans at home whose lives have been upended by the devastation brought on by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Several charitable organisations, associations, commercial businesses and individuals have jumped into action to get relief supplies, including food, essential equipment for temporary housing, tarpaulins and hygiene kits which can be airlifted or shipped to the island quickly to assist those communities which bore the brunt of the Category-5 storm’s 185 mph winds on October 28.

The Jamaica High Commission led the call to action by releasing a comprehensive list of items that was provided by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). The 14-page, 186-items list covered everything from heavy duty tools, medical supplies, mosquito nets, solar lanterns, mobile water purification units, and portable refrigerators to assorted fruits, vegetable seeds and other agriculture-related items.

The High Commission working with a number of Jamaican-owned UK companies and community organisations listed a number of drop-off points for donations in Essex, London and Birmingham, including JP Shipping, Kingsley Shipping, JLB Shipping and Logistics, the Croydon BME Forum, Sudbury Methodist Church, Cleone Foods Ltd and the Legacy Centre in Birmingham.

Alexander Williams, Jamaica’s high commissioner to the UK, speaking at the Christel House Jamaica brunch hosted by Jampro onboard the HMS Belfast the day after the hurricane hit the island said, “In the aftermath of the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, thanks for the many expressions of concern and solidarity received during this challenging time. We are guided by the resilience of our people and the strength of our community.

“The Government had the foresight of setting up a website: www.supportjamaica.gov.jm, the official platform which will give guidance for those who wish to donate to the relief effort and also provide information in real time.

“We at the Mission are working in tandem with the offices of the prime minister and ODPEM in rolling out information to the public with the approved needs list of the items that are urgently required, and will include the drop-off points where these can be received.”

High Commissioner Williams was also the host of a virtual town hall meeting which updated the UK Jamaican community on relief efforts being undertaken on the island, and how the diaspora could assist in the coming weeks and months.

JOIN RECOVERY EFFORTS

One of the companies to move swiftly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa was the Jamaica National Group which launched a relief fund to support the recovery efforts.

The ‘I Support Jamaica Fund for Hurricane Melissa’ was established by the financial institution to help people in the diaspora and those at home contribute to rebuilding efforts after the nation begins counting the cost of what officials warn could be the worst disaster in its history.

Paulette Simpson, executive for corporate affairs and public policy at the Jamaica National Group, said the appeal fund would be used to assist the most vulnerable groups and healthcare facilities.

She said, “Given the magnitude of the destruction and projected impact, we are appealing to Jamaicans, home and abroad, to donate so that first responders can jump immediately into providing comforts for those in need as soon as it is safe.

“We invite you to join our recovery efforts and make monetary donations to the ISupport Jamaica Fund, which is managed by JN Foundation, via JN Bank and JN Money. Beneficiaries of the donations will include children’s homes, early childhood institutions, homes for the elderly, healthcare facilities, as well as registered groups operating in the worst-affected areas.”

Information on how to donate is available on the JN Foundation website: www.jnfoundation.com/hurricane-melissa-relief.

In addition to cash donations, Jamaica National is also collaborating with Food for the Poor (FFTP) to collect emergency supplies from the diaspora community in the UK. The request is for emergency items including non-perishable food items, tarpaulins, solar or battery-powered lights and personal hygiene products for adults and babies. The company listed a number of drop-off points in London and Birmingham.

Meanwhile, a number of individuals in the UK have also recalled their anxiety of desperately trying to contact family and friends in Jamaica right after the hurricane struck, but were not able to do as power and telecoms facilities were knocked out.

Well-known community activist Lee Jasper was one of those who had an agonising wait before he was able to make contact with his family in St Elizabeth.

He said, “Those few days of waiting for news from St Elizabeth felt like a lifetime. My wife and I sat in London, sleepless and anxious, watching the clouds roll across the island we love, praying that our elderly parents would survive.

“The silence was unbearable — the phone lines dead, the WhatsApp chats still. When the message finally came that they were safe, the relief was overwhelming, but it was mixed with deep sorrow for those who were not so fortunate.

“The emotional toll on families in Jamaica and across the diaspora has been immense. Every storm brings not only destruction, but trauma — the fear, the waiting, the powerlessness.

“We are grateful that our loved ones are alive, but our hearts remain with those who have lost everything. Hurricane Melissa has reminded us that the Caribbean carries the weight of global climate injustice, and it is time for Britain and the wider world to stand with Jamaica in meaningful action, not just words.”

Fiona Ramdeen, who runs the Birmingham Care Group charity, also recalled waiting to hear news from her family in St Catherine.

She said, “Hurricane Melissa has left an unforgettable mark on the hearts of Jamaicans everywhere. It has tested our strength and shook our sense of security, but through it all we hold onto gratitude that our loved ones have survived this catastrophe. Our family business in St Catherine has been severely damaged, but together we will rebuild our communities and restore our dreams.”

PHENOMENAL SUPPORT

Nathaniel Peat, UK South Representative on the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, spoke of the immense support which has been coming from the community since the devastation.

He said, “The support from the Jamaican diaspora has been phenomenal. I have already participated in four strategic coordination meetings, led prayer calls with the faith community, and witnessed a groundswell of generosity from social groups to fundraising campaigns. One organisation has already raised much-need funds and others are doing concerts and actively preparing shipments to affected areas. People are mobilising with purpose and heart. Now is the time for continued action.

“I urge everyone to consult the official list of needed items released by the Government of Jamaica, purchase what they can, and deliver them to the designated drop-off points shared by the High Commission. Also make donations directly to Food for the Poor and to the official government donation link at: www.supportjamaica.gov.jm.”

Steve Stephenson, MBE, veteran community activist and former joint coordinator of the Birmingham Hurricane Disaster Fund after Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, believes Melissa was worse that Gilbert.

He said, “After Gilbert we raised £25,000 which was the largest sum in UK. I remembered going to the Golden Age Home in Kingston in 1989 and gave wheelchairs to Major Desmond Clarke. From what I have seen, the damage caused by Melissa is much greater than in 1988. The need for assistance will be much greater.

“I have received a call from my old friend Courtney Walsh, the former West Indies fast-bowler, and we are planning a big charity cricket match in the UK as soon as the weather permits. I am also the coordinator of a Friends of Jamaica network in Algorfa, Spain where I now reside and we will be holding a Caribbean Evening to raise funds for Jamaica.”

Others helping to get donations and assistance for Jamaica is philanthropist Captain Lesa Thomas, who earlier this year assisted Guys Hill Primary School in St Catherine. She has initiated a donation drive in her local borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London.

The ‘Jamaica Needs Your Help’ emergency donation drive lists items needed as canned food, batteries, medical supplies, heavy-duty cleaning items, adults and children hygiene products, with the drop-off centre located at The Village, Bay 56, Acklam Road, London W10 5TY. Captain Thomas said the donations would be handed over to the Jamaica High Commission to be used as part of their relief efforts from the UK.