Relief supplies from Florida-based groups on standby for Jamaica

Two containers packed with family care packages organised by charitable organisations are on standing by in Florida, ready to be shipped to Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm expected to pound the island for more than a day.

The relief effort is being coordinated by Caribbean Strong, a volunteer-driven network, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a US-based non-profit recognised for its rapid disaster-response operations across the Caribbean.

GEM was among the first organisations to arrive in Jamaica when Hurricane Beryl struck St Elizabeth and Clarendon in 2024.

"We have a pretty good system of volunteers, and we know exactly what to do," Marlon Hill, lead volunteer told The Star from Florida this morning.

"All we have to do is press the button, and people know where to go and what to do."

Each shipment will contain family necessity kits, designed to support two people for up to four days. The kits include bottled water, non-perishable foods, hydration items, hygiene and feminine products for women, socks, and portable lighting, essentials aimed at helping families cut off by flooding or power outages after the storm.

Hill, originally from Spanish Town, St Catherine, said distribution will be prioritised based on the areas most affected once the hurricane passes.

"Last year, that meant Treasure Beach, Rocky Point, and surrounding communities," he explained.

"This year, we'll wait to see where the greatest need lies before we deploy."

He noted that Jamaica's Consul General in South Florida, Oliver Mair, is integrally involved in the coordination effort, working closely with diaspora partners and transportation networks to ensure relief supplies reach communities in need as quickly as possible.

"This is a collective effort. We all have a role to play in helping Jamaica recover, and the diaspora stands ready to do its part."

Though experienced in disaster relief, Hill admitted that Hurricane Melissa feels personal.

"I'm not usually someone who gets concerned, but this one worries me deeply. Jamaica is my homeland, the land of my birth and I've seen what Category 4 and 5 storms can do. We need to take this very seriously, hunker down, and prepare to help each other recover."

Hill recalled watching Hurricane Gilbert devastate Jamaica from afar in 1988 and later experiencing Hurricane Andrew first-hand in Florida.

Those experiences, he said, shaped his deep respect for nature's power.

"This storm is projected to hit St Elizabeth, one of our breadbasket parishes.That's going to have a huge impact on our food supply and overall recovery. It's going to be a long road ahead, but Jamaicans everywhere are ready to help."

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

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