AFJ, partners hand over $121m for Beryl relief
Collaborative effort restores hundreds of homes, livelihoods after devastation
Published:Tuesday | September 10, 2024 | 12:08 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
“One hand cyaa clap.”
This was the sentiment expressed by Caron Chung, executive director of American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), last Friday at a Hurricane Beryl relief fund handover ceremony as she reminisced on how numerous individuals, businesses and charities rallied together to address the needs of those impacted by the July storm.
At the event, which took place at the Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica head office in Spanish Town, St Catherine, the AFJ presented a cheque for just under J$121 million to support relief efforts.
Drawing on the Jamaican proverb highlighting the power of teamwork in reaching common goals, Chung observed that significant progress has been made in the two months since the Category 4 hurricane battered the island’s south coast.
“When I see the pictures [of the devastation] and I see houses that are now back in order, families can now get back to living in their space, [and] farmers are able to get back to their livelihood, we are doing an enormous and incredible initiative here together,” Chung said.
She also mentioned that the AFJ greatly values the strength of its partnerships in achieving this unified goal and appreciates how these collaborations have enhanced their capacity to assist people.
The AFJ joined forces with the NCB Foundation to amplify donations to support relief efforts while also partnering with FFP to execute priority projects in the southern parishes.
Funds raised on the AFJ platform have been partially directed to the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, which is engaged in reroofing homes and reviving livelihoods in the Greater Treasure Beach area.
GRATEFUL FOR PARTNERSHIP
Laura Henzell, former director and volunteer of BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, reported that a few weeks after Hurricane Beryl had passed, the foundation received US$150,000 in donations, which the NCB Foundation quickly matched.
She expressed her gratitude for the partnership, mentioning that it allowed the charity to obtain crucial lumber and construction supplies, enabling them to reach the hardest-hit regions and begin their reconstruction efforts.
“Eight weeks ago, we had the ambitious dream where we sought to build 500 roofs for those in need because of the devastation of Hurricane Beryl and I’m pleased to report that we have now reached over 400 homes and counting,” Henzell stated.
She identified the farming and fishing industries, along with the tourism sector, as the “economic drivers” of the affected areas and stated that considerable work still lies ahead in helping people to recover from the disaster.
She noted that more recently, 80 active fisherfolk have been supplied with wire to rebuild fish pots and more than 250 students from seven primary and infant schools have been given vouchers to cover some of their back-to-school expenses.
Kivette Silvera-Stephens, executive director of FFP, observed that during the hurricane, many people took refuge in shelters or stayed with relatives.
She pointed out that some residents in Portland Cottage, Clarendon, remain in shelters and that FFP was working to get them back in the comfort of their own homes in short order.
A major challenge, she continued, was land issues as the residents were unable to find land to rebuild their homes.
“But together, we can make a difference and ... we are asking persons to continue to help ... to make a difference in these people’s lives,” she said.