AS the nation continues its recovery from the devastating Hurricane Melissa, Food for the Poor Jamaica (FFTP) says sustained partnerships are ensuring vulnerable families continue to receive relief aid even as the country pivots to prioritise resilient rebuilding efforts.

“We’re moving into the fourth month after Hurricane Melissa has passed and the need for supplies, food and relief items is still necessary. But we are moving into the phase of rebuilding and reconstruction. So both are going to happen simultaneously,” said FFTP Chief Operating Officer Mark Khouri at the commissioning ceremony of seven 40-foot containers of hurricane relief supplies on Monday.

FFTP, in collaboration with the Jamaica National Bank’s (JN) United Kingdom (UK) branch welcomed the arrival of the donations which are intended for the vulnerable groups and institutions in communities most affected by the Category 5 storm which laid waste to many areas in south-western Jamaica on October 28, 2025.

The JN Group, which launched its ‘ISupportJamaica Fund’ days ahead of the hurricane, garnered the support of its members in the UK and across other diaspora markets, enabling volunteers to participate in the collection and packaging of non-perishable food items, essentials and emergency supplies — such as tarpaulins, solar lantern, battery-powered lights — as well as baby and adult diapers, and menstrual products.

Khouri noted that many people still without homes and a job to generate income, which means they still require the relief provided through volunteerism, Government intervention, and the work done by charities.

“We are going to start ramping up our construction to make sure that people who lost their roofs, or who lost their entire homes, that we’re able rebuild their homes. But at the same time, we need to be able to still continue to help with the relief supplies until they can get back on their feet again because we know that they have lost their way to generate income.

“So we need to give them time to be able to recover, they need shelters over their heads, and they still need the supplies. So the goods that are coming from Jamaica National is going to be critical for what we are doing, even in phase two as we start doing shelter,” added Khouri.

Deputy chief executive officer of corporate affairs at JN Bank UK Paulette Simpson, who played a hands-on role in the execution of the relief drive, told the Jamaica Observer that she was overjoyed knowing that the hard work and kindness of those who participated in the donation had come to fruition.

“The whole aim is to assist persons, not only in the relief effort, but to help them to rebuild their lives, rebuild their homes, and most importantly, to rebuild their livelihoods. Relief, we are almost at the end of that, but now how do we empower people to rebuild their lives? As a group, we have different companies with different strengths, and they’re all working collectively and with other partners to ensure that we relieve suffering and we allow people to get back to normality as soon as possible,” said Simpson.

In the meantime, chairman of the JN Foundation Parris Lyew-Ayee also pledged the unwavering commitment of both agencies as he declared that their support would not end at relief supplies but would continue to empower Jamaicans through perilous times.

“In times of disaster, hope needs to move faster than despair and what we are witnessing here is hope in action. We will not only serve for a one-day support, but a long-standing help. We recognise that the recovery from Melissa, is not a one-day event, it is a longstanding work and from the track record that Food for the Poor has, we thought that they were the best partner, because they knew the community, they walked the land, they knew where the needs are, and they will deliver to the people who are really in need,” said Lyew Ayee.

Chief Operating Officer of Food For the Poor Jamaica Mark Khouri tells Chairman of the JN Foundation Parris Lyew-Ayee (left) and deputy chief executive officer at JN Bank (UK) Paulette Simpson about the relief work that the organisation has carried out since Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)