KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans abroad are being called on to contribute to the island’s recovery following the damage caused by tropical storm Gustav.
Early assessments of the damage caused by Gustav reveal an estimated $12 billion repair bill. This is more than two eighth of the country’s capital budget available for spending on roads, schools hospitals and other infrastructure.
The JN Group is using its international influence to inform the country’s Diaspora about the disaster on August 28 and 29. At the same time its network is being used to channel donations into the Jamaica National Gustav Recovery Fund.
With 12 dead, hundreds of houses destroyed and nearly 4,000 displaced at the height of the storm, the main aim of JN is to inform Jamaicans overseas about the immediate needs of those who were adversely affected.
The company will appeal to philanthropic Jamaicans and friends of the island to donate to the restoration of schools and hospitals damaged by the storm.
Through its JN Money Transfer subsidiary, JN will channel the donations to the JN Recovery Fund Account. Funds in this account will be passed to the Gustav Recovery Fund, established last week.
All remittance fees on the donations will be waived by JN.
Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness said the infrastructure of the educational system suffered during the storm, resulting in a delayed start to the school year. High winds and flooding caused most of the damage, with the east of the island suffering most.
Ten schools suffered significant roof damage with six facing particular difficulties, Prime Minister Golding said in Parliament last week. “Even where schools suffered no serious damage, considerable clean-up work has had to be done.”
To mobilise funds for this restoration work, JN Money Transfer will promote the donor mechanism using posters and flyers in its international offices. It has agents in Canada, the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica.
While the funds contributed through JN Money Transfer will go towards the rehabilitation of schools and hospitals, other contributions will be targeted to alternate areas of need. The donations are intended to supplement the government’s recovery efforts and help to re-energize national development.
General Manager of JN, Earl Jarrett, along with other senior executives have agreed to participate in media interviews overseas to inform the Diaspora about the country’s needs and explain how donations can be made.
The third largest financial institution in the island, JN has operating arms involved in remittance, general insurance, investments and other services.
