South Florida’s Jamaican-based charitable organizations offer relief support to the island of Jamaica

MIAMI – Members of several Jamaican-based charitable organizations, churches and small business owners in South Florida have teamed up with the Jamaica Consulate in Miami and the Jamaica Diaspora to enable the effective planning for hurricane relief from that area, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean.

Consul General Mr. Ricardo Allicock, convened a community meeting on Wednesday (Aug. 22) at the Christway Baptist Church in Miramar, to respond to the many concerns and donation efforts by persons in the Diaspora, as they discussed relief efforts for the victims of the recent hurricane in Jamaica.

As the Consulate awaited a formal assessment of damages across the entire country, Mr. Allicock briefly outlined the critically needs list to help in the relief effort in Jamaica. Some of these included basic construction items, non-perishable food items, sheets/blankets, sleeping bags, first aid kits, toiletries, flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radios, water purification devices and infant-related items.

Meanwhile, the Consul General continued the appeal for monetary donations in the form of money orders which could be made to the Jamaica Consulate Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund and mailed to the office at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, Miami 33131.

In an effort to coordinate relief efforts effectively, Mr. Allicock encouraged persons to work directly with the Consulate office and the Diaspora Advisory Board in this ongoing effort, as the focus was to meet the needs of many hungry, homeless and bewildered Jamaicans.

Marlon Hill, Diaspora Advisory member for the southern USA indicated that several collection points have already been identified throughout Dade and Broward counties, and information regarding these will be easily accessible through the media, websites community associations and a support network system of volunteers.

While some were engaged in collection of material items, several organizations as well as individuals were willing to make monetary donations, he continued.

There were also volunteer groups who had begun their individual ongoing collection efforts to meet the needs of students in Jamaican schools that were also affected.

While he expressed appreciation to the many volunteers and interested persons and groups across the Diaspora, the Consul General also indicated that several international and local corporations had already established a desire to engage in their own relief efforts to assist in the island’s recovery program.

In an update on recovery efforts taking place in the country, Mr. Allicock noted that while some areas were badly hit, others were on the mend although the island was spared from major disaster this time, he added.

Shelters were opened across the island to accommodate persons who had lost their homes to the hurricane.

Regarding public utilities and communication, Mr. Allicock noted that some areas still remained without power and telephone communications. Roadways were being cleared of debris and fallen trees.

Air Jamaica’s Community Relations Manager in Miami, Ms. Kay Chong, gave a brief report on the operations of the airline as it resumed daily services indicating that the two major airports in Kingston and Montego Bay had also become fully functional.