KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) has rolled out a wide-ranging relief programme to assist residents in western Jamaica who were hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

The company is collaborating with several partners, including international relief agency Samaritan’s Purse, to provide emergency support to affected families and communities.

Through its Best Dressed Chicken division, Jamaica Broilers has supplied chicken products free of cost to quick service restaurants and caterers preparing hot meals for residents in need.

Employees have also been invited to donate non-perishable foods, water, bedding, hygiene products, clothing, tarpaulin, batteries, flashlights, candles and matches. Donation drop-off points have been set up at all JBG locations to facilitate contributions.

A key component of the company’s response is its partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, which has flown in emergency medical supplies and established an emergency field hospital in St Elizabeth.

The Best Dressed Chicken distribution team has been assisting with the transport of critical supplies from Norman Manley International Airport to Black River, ensuring timely delivery to the relief site.

On Monday, teams from Samaritan’s Purse, The Best Dressed Chicken, Hi-Pro, and the Jamaica Defence Force worked together at Black River High School to complete the setup of the field hospital.

Jamaica Broilers also provided meals for the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who are on the ground offering medical and humanitarian support. Meanwhile, the Hi-Pro Division has engaged key agricultural bodies, including the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association, Jamaica Pig Farmers Association, Small Ruminants Association of Jamaica, and the Jamaica Agricultural Society, to assess the storm’s impact on farmers and determine their most urgent needs.

This feedback will inform a targeted assistance plan for the farming sector.

Colonel (Ret’d) Jaimie Ogilvie, vice president of Hi-Pro, underscored the company’s commitment to national recovery.

“Jamaica Broilers is standing with communities that have been severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. We are more than chicken and agriculture; we are about nation building.”

He added that the company’s teams are assisting Samaritan’s Purse with transportation, water, food supplies and other relief items for farmers and stakeholders. Ogilvie also expressed gratitude to Wysinco, which donated 100 cases of water to help hydrate patients and families receiving care at the field hospital.

“Hydration is critical and Wysinco did not hesitate. Thank you very much to Wysinco for coming alongside us,” he said.