Melissa, my lady, you forgot one small element in your leisurely and winding journey to our shores this weekend and early subsequent week: We’re Jamaicans.
We’re ready for you — absolutely conscious that your go to will depart its mark with flooding, broken infrastructure, and households displaced from their houses. However as our island braces for restoration, we all know that the worldwide Jamaican diaspora will rise to the event. Whether or not you’re in South Florida, New York, Atlanta, London, Toronto, Tokyo, or Ethiopia, your help could make an actual and tangible distinction.
Jamaica’s vulnerability to pure disasters is nothing new. We survived Hurricane Charlie in 1951, we survived Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, and 37 years later, we’ll survive Hurricane Melissa too — as a result of resilience runs in our blood.
As we safe our households and companies earlier than landfall, we should additionally give attention to organising our assets to make sure that reduction reaches those that want it most — effectively, equitably, and urgently. That is our second to reaffirm our solidarity, strengthen native responders, and ensure no group is left behind.
Having labored for a number of years in Caribbean catastrophe response by South Florida Caribbean Sturdy and our partnership with World Empowerment Mission (GEM), I’ve seen first-hand how diaspora mobilisation can remodel reduction efforts.
Listed here are some instant methods you possibly can help Jamaica’s reduction and restoration earlier than and after Hurricane Melissa passes our shores:
1. DONATE TO CREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
A number of respected organisations are actively responding to the influence of Hurricane Melissa. Your donation could make an actual distinction — serving to present emergency shelter, meals, medical care, and long-term restoration help to affected communities.
World Empowerment Mission (GEM)
GEM has a confirmed monitor file in Caribbean catastrophe response. Its skilled Caribbean group, primarily based in Kingston, Jamaica, has already begun preparations for reduction efforts, whereas the GEM Headquarters is dispatching help to the area.
A cargo aircraft of provides and a number of containers of help have been mobilised to succeed in Jamaica as soon as situations enable. GEM additionally operates two giant warehouses in Kingston geared up to help each instant and long-term restoration efforts following Hurricane Melissa.
Go to GEM’s website to be taught extra or contribute on to their reduction fund.
Meals For The Poor (FFTP)
For many years, Meals For The Poor has been one of many area’s most reliable lifelines throughout occasions of disaster. With deep group roots in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean, the organisation is as soon as once more stepping up its reduction operations in response to Hurricane Melissa.
The organisation has confirmed that present assets in its Coconut Creek warehouse are prepared for deployment — together with blankets, turbines, and hundreds of hygiene kits. Volunteers are additionally being mobilised to pack further provides.
The charity is presently amassing the next particular reduction gadgets:
- Washcloths
- Cleaning soap (3 oz)
- Unscented deodorant (2 oz)
- Shampoo or physique wash (8 oz)
Gadgets might be dropped off at FFTP’s Coconut Creek warehouse, 6401 Lyons Highway, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. To help FFTP’s response to Hurricane Melissa with a money donation or to be taught extra, go to FFTP’s website.
World Central Kitchen
WCK is commonly among the many first to reach on the frontlines, offering nutritious meals in response to humanitarian, local weather, and group crises. Based on official stories, WCK is collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Safety to provide meals and luxury gadgets to shelters.
Click on here to be taught extra about World Central Kitchen and to help with a money donation to assist present contemporary meals to communities in want.
American Buddies of Jamaica (AFJ)
AFJ, a US-based non-profit organisation, has a stellar file of fundraising and grant-making in help of Jamaican charities. Based on updates shared on their social media pages, the AFJ Catastrophe Aid Fund has been activated to offer emergency help and restoration help within the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
The organisation has pledged to stay on standby, prepared to help affected communities by its trusted companions throughout Jamaica. The AFJ Catastrophe Aid Fund performs an important position in delivering vital help every time pure or humanitarian crises influence the island.
Be taught extra about AFJ and donate to their Melissa Aid Fund here.
The Workplace of Catastrophe Preparedness and Emergency Administration (ODPEM)
ODPEM has absolutely activated the Nationwide Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) as Hurricane Melissa continues to quickly intensify into a serious system. ODPEM is anticipated to determine official channels by which people and organisations can immediately help their reduction efforts. Particulars on how you can contribute can be shared by your nearest Jamaican Consular consultant.
Following their harm assessments, ODPEM will even launch a precedence listing of reduction gadgets most wanted to help affected communities. These wishing to play a extra energetic position may volunteer by ODPEM’s Nationwide Catastrophe Threat Administration Volunteer Programme (NDRMVP).
United Nations Kids’s Fund (UNICEF)
UUNICEF has reported that at the least 1.6 million youngsters are in danger as Hurricane Melissa strikes by the Caribbean. The group and its companions have pre-positioned life-saving provides and stand able to help households in affected areas throughout the area.
UNICEF has pre-positioned key WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) provides throughout the area, together with 4,000 water containers in Jamaica. Further reduction gadgets similar to hygiene kits (over 4,000), water purifiers, containers, and tents are being shipped from logistic hubs in Barbados and Panama to Jamaica.
The organisation is actively engaged within the Well being, Diet, and Training sectors and stays in shut communication with related ministries. In Jamaica, UNICEF is coordinating with PAHO and the Ministry of Well being to conduct early assessments, distribute vitamin provides, and promote secure toddler feeding practices.
Be taught extra about UNICEF’s work in Jamaica and click on here to help their efforts to safeguard youngsters throughout this impending catastrophe.
2. VOLUNTEER at Aid Centres
Wherever you might be, grassroots volunteer initiatives are more likely to emerge as information of Hurricane Melissa’s influence spreads. Getting concerned — whether or not on the bottom or remotely — could make a big distinction in supporting affected communities.
In South Florida, efforts are already underway. Volunteers are welcome on the GEM warehouse, positioned at 1850 NW 84th Avenue, Doral, Florida, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday–Friday) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday).
Listed here are different methods you may get concerned and help native reduction efforts:
- Journey to Help : In case you have catastrophe response coaching or medical experience, sure organisations might deploy volunteers to Jamaica. Contact your nearest Jamaican Consulate or organisations similar to Meals For The Poor or GEM for alternatives.
- Be part of South Florida Caribbean Sturdy : The group is mobilising volunteers to help with logistics, fundraising, and provide coordination. To take part, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
- Help Native Drives : Church buildings, cultural organisations, and Caribbean associations usually host donation drives. Supply your time to type provides, pack reduction kits, or assist with transport to designated warehouses the place gadgets are ready for cargo.
- Volunteer Remotely : Use your skilled expertise — similar to graphic design, social media administration, grant writing, or translation — to help reduction organisations from wherever you might be.
3. OTHER Methods to Assist
Along with donating on to reduction organisations or volunteering your time, it’s also possible to buy precedence reduction gadgets on-line — by Amazon or different platforms — and have them delivered to central assortment factors the place they’ll be sorted and ready for transport to Jamaica.
Responding to Hurricane Melissa just isn’t solely about offering instant help; it’s additionally about constructing long-term resilience. To navigate this difficult interval, Diaspora engagement is vital. Our networks, assets, and collective voices will assist mobilise the help Jamaica wants — inside our personal communities and from associates of Jamaica world wide.
Whether or not you donate £10, volunteer your time, or share this message, your contribution makes a distinction. Hurricane Melissa will undoubtedly trigger widespread harm — that’s an unmistakable actuality. But, we all know that the indomitable spirit of Jamaicans in every single place will rise to satisfy this second.
Let’s donate collectively. Volunteer collectively. Mobilise collectively. Rebuild collectively.
