Dear Editor,

I write with genuine concern and disappointment at what appears to me to be the arrogant and tone-deaf nature of the Jamaica Observer November 9 article titled ‘Do-good Senators’ in which Abka Fitz-Henley and Christian Tavares-Finson claim to have donated $6 million of their “personal resources” to Hurricane Melissa relief.

My mother always said, “Good deeds should be done with intention, not for attention.” At a time when thousands of Jamaicans are still struggling to rebuild their lives — many without homes, water, electricity, or food — such self-congratulatory display feels grossly out of touch.

If indeed $6 million of personal funds were donated, in my opinion, the public deserves transparency from these public servants. Where did the money come from? How was it spent? Which communities benefited? Otherwise, this appears less like compassion and more like calculated self-promotion and virtue signalling.

Even more troubling is the seemingly fragmented disaster response. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) are supposed to coordinate national relief, not hyped up senators presiding over disjointed, personality-driven initiatives. Several major charities have been delivering with less self-promotion.

The prime minister should take very careful note of this action by his senators as it could damage the fragile credibility of the disaster response to date.

Given the circumstances, I believe the Integrity Commission should also take a serious interest in this matter; not out of malice, but to safeguard public trust, which is very low, and ensure accountability when public office meets personal publicity.

C Chang

Orlando, Florida

caschang11@gmail.com