As a Category 5 hurricane barrels its way through Jamaica with catastrophic force, several Canadian organizations are mobilizing to provide aid and long-term relief to the Caribbean island.
Hurricane Melissa officially touched down in Jamaica early Tuesday, bringing disastrous wind speeds of nearly 295 km/h, heavy rain, and flash flooding, according to the U.S National Hurricane Centre.
The Category 5 hurricane is the strongest to hit the Atlantic since record keeping began in 1851.
Food For The Poor Canada (FFTP) is one of several organizations quickly securing aid and launching fundraising efforts to ensure short-term and long-term relief is in order.
“The team that’s on the ground, Food For The Poor Jamaica, are already prepped and ready to go following the storm to provide immediate care, relief packages, hygienic packages,” Executive Director, Geraldine Isaac, told Now Toronto.
Isaac said the charity’s Canadian front is focused on ensuring that resources to rebuild and restructure Jamaica are acquired and ready to go in the coming weeks, that includes Zinc, lumber, and any material to rebuild a home.
She adds that rebuilding was the organization’s primary effort last year when Hurricane Beryl swept through the island, and will be even more crucial this time around.
“Baryl enough was a relief that occurred only last year, and some parishes and communities are still recovering,” she said. “Melissa would be a much longer and heavier storm. So we want to ensure that the resources and the funds that are needed for rebuilding and restructuring are available for the communities.”
Isaac says the charity is working in partnership with the Jamaican Canadian Association, as well as the high commissioner’s office, to determine items that may need shipment.
Currently FFTP has set up a Hurricane Melissa Emergency Fund for Canadians to get involved in relief efforts, and donations raised will go towards rebuilding and restructuring Jamaica, according to Isaac.
“We are focused on ensuring that longer term stretch, for still being able to respond to needs that may be three months away still,” she said.
In Toronto, local efforts are underway within the city’s Little Jamaica community as several organizations have partnered to launch a donation drive.
The Little Jamaica Community Land Trust, Toronto-based artist DJ 42, and nonprofit organization Reclaim Eg West, announced the launch of a donation drive with proceeds going towards the Jamaican Red Cross.
The groups are encouraging locals to donate items such as medication, clothing, hygiene kits, first aid kits, infant and baby supplies, flashlights and non-perishable goods.
The drop off location will take place at Studio M, 1672 Eglinton Ave West from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.
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