ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Marathon Insurance Brokers has stepped forward with major support for thousands of residents in St Elizabeth whose homes were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The insurance brokerage on Tuesday donated $2 million to assist with recovery efforts, targeting the hardest-hit communities across the south-western belt of the parish.

The contribution was presented to Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South West Floyd Green during a brief ceremony at the company’s Kingston office. Making the handover were Marathon president and chief executive officer Levar Smith, executive vice president of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Keisha Burgher, and sales manager Joseth Brown.

Smith urged more members of corporate Jamaica to join the relief efforts, noting that the scale of devastation demands a national response.

“We are a part of this country’s fabric. When our people hurt, we hurt,” he said.
He also encouraged Jamaicans to view insurance as a vital safety net for families and businesses, helping them recover faster after disasters.

Marathon Insurance Brokers said it remains committed to supporting clients, communities, and the wider country throughout the rebuilding process.

MP Green praised the company for being among the first to reach out following the hurricane.

“Marathon Insurance Brokers was one of the first entities that said they wanted to give to the relief effort, and I was not surprised. This is the ethos of Marathon — to stand with the Jamaican people in their greatest time of need,” he said.

Green described the devastation in St Elizabeth South West as unprecedented, noting that more than 20,000 residents were directly affected, with the vast majority suffering significant damage to their homes.

He said that of the 40 communities impacted in his constituency, almost all saw destruction affecting over 90 per cent of their housing stock.

“Capital towns like Black River have been completely wiped off the map,” he added, noting the tremendous losses to businesses and livelihoods.

Nationally, he said preliminary assessments indicate that more than 120,000 homes across Jamaica sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa.