CARIBBEAN Cement Company Limited (CCCL) has invested more than $7.7 million through an Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to assist communities impacted by the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl.

The money was made available through the company’s parent Cemex and has been used to provide packages of non-perishable food items, sheets of zinc, zinc screws and plyboards. Quantities of cement have also been allocated to the communities.

More than 100 families in the communities of Harbour View in St Andrew, Trench Town in Kingston, Woodside in Clarendon, and 11 Miles in Bull Bay, St Thomas, have benefited so far.

Commenting on the donations following the handover of the material and food items at the Denbigh Church of the Nazarene in Woodside, Clarendon, on Tuesday, CCCL Managing Director Jorge Martinez expressed satisfaction at the work done by the team to ensure the needs of the communities were met.

“This is a significant step in our efforts to support the communities in need especially with the response time that we did. The dedication displayed by our team is truly commendable, ensuring that vital resources reach those who need them most. We remain committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others,” said Martinez.

In the meantime, social impact specialist at the company Jerome Cowans expressed pride in being a part of an organisation that displays compassion for its communities.

“It’s inspiring to witness first-hand the positive change that Carib Cement is making in the people’s lives, and I look forward to continuing our social impact mission,” said Cowans.

In response to the company’s efforts, pastor of the Denbigh Church of the Nazarene Carlton Bryan said that the community was grateful for CCCL’s support. He noted that the church was essential in reaching those persons adversely affected by Hurricane Beryl.

“We know that persons from this community have been affected, as in other parishes, but the response by Carib Cement to give back to this community makes us eternally grateful,” said Bryan.

For his part, community facilitator and resident of 11 Miles Bull Bay, Lamar Clarke also expressed gratitude to CCCL for its support to the community.

“We are thankful because a few persons got displaced from their homes and generally they will have to rebuild before they can re-enter their homes so the support is welcomed so that persons can return to normalcy,” said Clarke.

Caribbean Cement Company Limited Social Impact Specialist Jerome Cowans (right) presents pastor of the Denbigh Church of the Nazarene Carlton Bryan with a package of non-perishable food items at the Denbigh Church of the Nazarene in Woodside, Clarendon, on Tuesday.