THE South West St Elizabeth Hurricane Relief Command Centre, led by the Member of Parliament for the area Floyd Green, partnered with Tank-Weld Metals to execute a major relief operation across seven of the hardest-hit communities following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

On November 21, the team — with logistics assistance from MJ Trucking and fuel support from FESCO — packed and deployed a truck carrying 700 care packages and more than 75 cases of water to the affected communities.

Tank-Weld augmented the effort by donating 500 high-quality sleeping bags and 400 solar-powered lanterns, sourced in collaboration with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Waldron Wealth, to assist families still without electricity.

The joint team travelled through Newcombe Valley, Beacon, Galleon, Fyffes Pen, Cambridge, Oxford, and Compound, ensuring every package, sleeping bag and lantern reached families which have been severely impacted by housing damage, loss of belongings, and extended power outages.

Green expressed gratitude for the partnership and the timeliness of this intervention.

“Let me thank the Tank-Weld Metals Ltd Group for making this possible. This is a very important intervention, and we truly appreciate them and the partners they have worked with. When someone loses their roof, they lose everything inside, so having a comfortable place to sleep becomes absolutely critical.

“Unfortunately, our entire electrical system has been devastated by Hurricane Melissa, including the power generation plant in Maggotty. It will take quite some time for many of our communities to have electricity restored. More than 40 communities have been affected,” noted Green.

“So this intervention, providing solar lamps and sleeping bags, will go a far way. I want to again express my thanks to Tank-Weld and their partners for making it possible,” added Green

Sarah Bicknell, representing Tank-Weld Metals and supporting coordination on the ground, also highlighted the importance of the effort:

“Tank-Weld is committed to helping families recover with dignity and comfort. These sleeping bags and solar lanterns were donated specifically to support communities still dealing with power outages and unsafe living conditions. It is an honour to stand with Minister Green, the Hurricane Relief Command Centre and all partners working to uplift those affected by Hurricane Melissa,” said Bicknell.

The relief distribution was powered by a volunteer team that spent the full day packing, delivering and directly engaging residents across the seven communities. Every item was successfully distributed.

“It was an excellent and impactful day,” said Kenneisha Campbell, coordinator of the South West St Elizabeth Hurricane Relief Command Centre.

“The heart and teamwork shown today remind us of what real community looks like. We’re grateful for everyone, our wonderful volunteers who show up every day and our generous donors, who continue to stand with the people of St Elizabeth,” added Campbell.

Residents of several communities across south west St Elizabeth with sleeping bags, solar lanterns, water and care packages delivered by the Hurricane Relief Command Centre and Tank-Weld Metals Ltd on November 21.