The Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) which deployed to Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria is expected to return to Jamaica today, having assisted in that country for the past 10 weeks.

The JDF made the announcement on the weekend.

In addition to its physical efforts, the team set up the Dominica Disaster Relief Fund designed to generate donations from Jamaican individuals and companies.

According to Lt Col Dionne Smalling of the JDF, the drive is intended to “encourage and facilitate members of the public who wish to make donations to assist the people of Dominica. As such, all donations will be handed over to the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to assist with relief efforts following the passing of Hurricane Maria on September 19”.

The account is at Sagicor Bank, with account number 5502935258.

DART was deployed to Dominica on Tuesday, September 26, and carried out various rebuilding, relief and recovery operations. This included assisting local security forces with maintaining law and order; logistics support to aid the distribution of food, water, medical and relief supplies; light construction and repair, as well as providing essential medical care to those in need.

In addition, the contingent launched a Caribbean-wide fund-raising drive with a series of runs dubbed ‘Run for Nature’ which were held simultaneously in several Caricom member states on Saturday, November 18.