Dear Editor,

While the Government races to keep its next press conference and Members of Parliament (MP) pose for the next TikTok video with their communications teams, real people are suffering.

I frequently see a particular MP in campaign shirt at disaster sites, I see a smiling government minister telling which road he intends to clear next, and I see videos of that tough-talking minister acting like he is the godfather way too often. Enough!

What I also don’t need to see is another celebrity or quasi-celebrity posting about what he or she is doing to help. As the people at Nike would say, “Just do it”. The people appreciate it, and God will bless you. But, for the love of God, please stop using the plight of our people to build your political profiles or gain followers online.

People have been amazingly kind to send or bring relief supplies, including the people I just mentioned, but unfortunately the plight of those displaced is being abused by attention-seekers, including politicians.

Why is it that all we get from the Government is good news, while every night on the evening news we see one heartbreaking story after another. Why can Television Jamaica (TVJ) find these people and bring their stories to us, but the Government can’t find them to help them out of their despair.

Why is it that World Central Kitchen can establish a logistics hub in Black River and serve over 5,000 meals a day all over St Elizabeth but government supplies continue to trickle or remain packaged. Private donors, charities, and non-governmental organisations are doing great work and reaching a lot of needy people, it is not the elected officials who are making the difference.

If you are watching all these TikTok videos and listening to government press conferences, you could be forgiven if you believe that all victims are being reached and taken care of. But let’s be clear, this is not like handing out gifts at Christmas. As good and as appreciated as it is, a one-day event like the one in St Elizabeth last Saturday just begins to scratch the itch.

The MP for St Elizabeth South Western blasted that announcement across the Internet like a Bashco sale infomercial and subsequently had a well-placed article in the newspaper about it. But, Big Man, the people who have light and connectivity are not the ones who need your attention. The people you need to reach still have no light and very little, if any, Internet connectivity. We need you on the ground.

Here’s an idea for you and all MPs in affected areas: Create a network comprising all Jamaica Labour Party and People’s National Party delegates — they know where the people are — and use them to identify and reach the people in the remote parts of your constituencies. Now you can truly prove to your people that you care about them and will work for them regardless of party affiliation.

As for the Government, why is it taking so long to show a fully coordinated working network of government-led relief activities? If you engage the same set of delegates mentioned before and the two party leaders come together and unleash their delegate network across all affected constituencies, I guarantee you TVJ will find less heartbreaking and more heart-warming stories to report.

We are getting a lot of relief supplies, now we need a proper logistics network to get them to the people. We need less press conferences and social media posts and more hand-to-hand relief support.

Shakey Williams

shakeywilliams2022@gmail.com