J’cans in US standing by to assist with recovery
Published:Thursday | July 4, 2024 | 12:05 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
NEW YORK:
The Jamaican community in North America is being mobilised and placed on high alert to assist recovery efforts in the island in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.
Jamaica felt the brunt of the weather system on Wednesday as its eye passed just off the south coast, damaging properties and infrastructure in various sections of the island.
Christopher Benjamin, community relations officer at the Jamaican Consulate in New York, told The Gleaner that community leaders and various organisations have been tapped to stand by to assist the island based on the needs arising from the hurricane’s impact.
“We have reached out to the various sectors, including our healthcare professionals, to stand ready to assist once the Government tells us what the needs are. We are also mobilising other community organisations to move at a moment’s notice depending on the needs,” he said.
The Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, has also reached out to various community leaders and organisations, asking them to be ready to assist as needed.
The consulates and embassy have also reported that numerous Jamaicans have been calling them to query how they can assist with recovery efforts.
Northeast Region Global Diaspora Council Member Michelle Tulloch-Neil told The Gleaner that she has also reached out to the Jamaican community for potential assistance.
“We have had discussions with various community leaders on the help that they can offer, but we have to wait to find out that will be needed,” she said.
Dr Robert Clarke of Help Jamaica Medical Mission and Dr Trevor Dixon, head of Jah Jah Foundation, and other medical professionals have been contacted.
Miami Consul General Oliver Mair said that there have been ongoing discussions with Jamaican organisations and leaders in Florida and other parts of the Southern region on assisting to Jamaica if called upon.
“The community is mobilised and ready to help,” Mair told The Gleaner.
He said that it is important for the community to be organised and ready to lend assistance once the needs are known.
“We do not want a situation where we are running into each other to provide needed assistance but that there be a clear plan of action to help the island,” said Irwine Clare.