NEW YORK, USA — As they have always done during the island’s darkest hours, scores of patriotic Jamaicans across the United States are responding to Hurricane Beryl’s devastating passage with a massive relief effort that could spill over to other battered Caribbean territories.

Several organisations and individuals swung into action immediately after the hurricane passed midweek, leaving shocking scenes of distress and destruction in its wake, particularly in southern sections of Jamaica and parts of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The effort is being undertaken in collaboration with the Jamaican consulates in New York and Miami, even as an official estimate of the damage across the island is being awaited, which will help to determine the most crucial needs.

Among the organisations that have already mobilised are Jamaican Men of Florida, Jamaican Association of Maryland, People Profile, Jamaican Women of Florida, and the Jamaican-American Bar Association, among several others.

Separately, the Bob and Rita Marley foundations and Food For the Poor (FFP) are partnering to bring relief to those impacted by the pounding rains and tempestuous winds of the strongest storm this early in the six-month-long Atlantic hurricane season.

In the face of heart-rending pictures of devastation back home, disputing factions of the Jamaican Diaspora have buried the hatchet to present a united front in the disaster relief effort.

The Jamaica Diaspora Task Force on Crime Intervention and Prevention — led by Dr Rupert Francis — which is one of the entities leading protest demonstrations against the Jamaican Government to secure greater engagement with the Diaspora, has joined forces with acting executive director of the non-profit Jamaica Disaster Foundation, Angel Grant to rally to the island’s assistance.

Jamaica’s Consul General in Miami Oliver Mair commended the Jamaican community across the southern United States for its quick response, initiative, and support in the effort to assist those affected by the disaster.

“Their effort is a demonstration of how Jamaicans always rise to the occasion to assist their fellowmen in times of crisis,” Mair said without referring to any of the conflicts.

Dr Francis said Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester, has been tapped to handle the relief supplies from the foundation and the task force.

Grant said that based on limited information coming out of St Elizabeth, especially from the Alligator Pond area, efforts are to be made to secure building material such as plywood and zinc, as well as solar-powered equipment to assist with the immediate needs there.

Discussions are taking place with companies and private organisations, which she was not in a position to name at this time, to seek assistance, Grant said, adding that “grant funding is also being sought and we are working with our logistics partners in the process”.

Both Dr Francis and Grant said that, heading into the future, there are plans to develop a permanent structure that will allow for as quick a response as possible from their organisations to disasters, not only in Jamaica but the wider Caribbean.

Food For the Poor (FFP) told the Jamaica Observer it had already dispatched 27 containers of aid to Jamaica, with more to be shipped beginning this week. In addition, a shipment of 720 family emergency kits and 720 emergency food kits was scheduled to arrive on Friday, courtesy of FFP partner Global Medic.

“The shipments arrived in Jamaica with free air cargo provided by Air Canada. Prior to the hurricane we also had aid ready to be deployed, including disaster preparedness kits for 500 families; 16 containers of food; six containers of health-care supplies; and five containers of other essential items,” spokespersons for the foundations disclosed.

At the same time, Peter Gracey, who heads the non-profit This is Jamaica, announced a contribution of $1 million to assist with education and health relief efforts in St Elizabeth, possibly the parish hardest-hit by Beryl.

Gracey, who is also the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the southern US, said “The contribution is being made in collaboration with the Lorraine J Smith Foundation of New Jersey and the Sunshine Women’s Centre in Ocho Rios in St Ann”.

Lorraine Smith, who is the primary donor of the amount, noted that “the foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those who are most in need”.

Chief executive officer of Sunshine Medical Center, Nancy Fong, also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership and noted that “Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive medical check-ups and mental health support for children in St Elizabeth as part of what is required for them to start the school year on the right foot”.

Here in New York and other north-eastern states a collaborative effort is being undertaken between the Jamaican Consulate and the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) for the area, said Michelle Tulloch-Neil, GJDC representative for the region.

She said talks are taking place with several stakeholders such as shipping companies and individuals with the requisite skills to assist in the relief effort.

“This includes possibly identifying qualified electricians who might be willing to travel to Jamaica to assist with the restoration of power on the island,” Tulloch-Neil told the Sunday Observer.

She added that work was also being done to identify specific locations such as churches that will be used as drop-off centres for items to be shipped as part of the relief effort.

While he continues to await information about the most pressing needs and how best to assist in the recovery effort, Rick Nugent of Jamaica Association of Maryland said his group has begun mobilising so as to source items to play their part.

“In the past we have worked with the Jamaica Council of Churches on disaster relief efforts and will do so again this time round,” said Nugent.

Acknowledging the impact of Hurricane Beryl on other Caribbean islands, several of the organisations said discussions were under way about potential partnerships to assist elsewhere in the region.

Jamaican-born Denise Grant, a commissioner for the City of Lauderhill in Florida, has also joined the move to assist with the relief effort.

She said that “While much attention is focused on assisting Jamaica, consideration is also being given towards helping those in other parts of the Caribbean which were impacted as a result the storm”.

The Diaspora relief effort comes as the United Nations (UN) and United Kingdom (UK) Government announced hurricane relief support for Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Late last week, UN Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu announced that US$2.5 million has been secured for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.

“The UN has already communicated our readiness to support the Government of Jamaica, and the Government is very receptive to the UN’s support, and the organisation will, with guidelines from the Government, be able, in a tailored response, aid the emergency activities,” Zulu said during a virtual press conference last Friday.

He said that the money secured for Jamaica, which is a “special allocation” from the Central Emergency Response Fund, has the “potential to be expanded”, adding that it will depend on the Government’s assessments and priorities.

Also on Friday, the UK Government said it is providing financial support to meet the needs of those most impacted by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.

It said that 800 emergency shelter kits have been sent to Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, while two Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office rapid deployment teams have travelled to Jamaica and the Grenadine island of Carriacou.

“Our thoughts remain with those who have lost loved ones, their homes or have been left without power,” UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.

“This funding will help support disaster recovery efforts, as part of a swift and coordinated response in the region. That such a storm has developed so early in the season shows that we are facing a climate emergency and must act now,” he added.

Jamaica’s consul general to Miami Oliver Mair (second left) assists with the packing of hurricane relief supplies for Jamaica.

NUGENT… in the past we have worked with the Jamaica Council of Churches on disaster relief efforts and will do so again this time round

GRANT… while much attention is focused on assisting Jamaica, consideration is also being given

A motorist navigates the small space left on this road in Lionel Town, Clarendon, after this tree fell during Hurricane Beryl’s rampage last Wednesday. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force cut this fallen tree that blocked the east-bound section of the dual carriageway on Camp Road in St Andrew last Thursday morning, a day after the passage of Hurricane Beryl. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Members of the Jamaican Women and Jamaican Men of Florida prepare to pack hurricane relief supplies for Jamaica and other Caribbean islands affected by Hurricane Beryl.