JAMAICA National Group has activated its ISupportJamaica Fund to help in the rebuilding efforts which are expected after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Forecasters have predicted that Melissa will have even more devastating impact than Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which were two of Jamaica’s most catastrophic hurricanes.

The ISupportJamaica Fund will facilitate people, locally and abroad, who want to aid in recovery efforts. The fund, which is managed by the JN Foundation, is an offshoot of ISupportJamaica.com which was launched in 2013.

Referencing reports from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Paulette Simpson, executive for corporate affairs and public policy at Jamaica National Group and who is based in the United Kingdom, says given the magnitude of the hurricane and the projected impact, coordination of recovery efforts have begun.

“Therefore, we are appealing to Jamaicans, home and abroad, to donate so that first responders can jump immediately into providing comfort for those in need as soon as it is safe,” said Simpson. “We invite you make monetary donations to the ISupportJamaica Fund, via JN Bank, JN Money.”

Information on how to donate is available on the JN Foundation website: jnfoundation.com/hurricane-melissa-relief/.

Beneficiaries of the donations will include the most vulnerable, children’s homes, early childhood institutions, homes for the elderly, health-care facilities, as well as registered community groups operating in the worst-affected areas.

In addition to cash donations, Jamaica National is also collaborating with Food For the Poor (FFP) in the United Kingdom to collect emergency supplies for donation to vulnerable communities.

FFP Jamaica has been a trusted humanitarian partner and the largest charitable organisation on the island, with decades of proven experience. It is also a key operational partner within the national disaster management framework.

FFP has a dedicated disaster management unit, supported by surge staff, that enables rapid mobilisation during crises. Through a strong logistics network and deep community partnerships, FFP delivers targeted relief swiftly and effectively to all 14 parishes, including remote or hard-to-reach areas.

“The Jamaica National Group remains intimately connected to Jamaicans across all Diaspora markets and so we have sprung into action to assist Jamaica with recovering quickly and recovering robustly,” added Simpson.

A downed traffic light at the intersection of Knutsford Boulevard and Oxford Road in St Andrew on Tuesday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)