Canada-based groups to stage hurricane relief benefit concert

TORONTO: Several organisations and businesses in Canada have come together to host a Hurricane Beryl Relief Benefit Concert in Toronto to help restoration efforts in Jamaica in the aftermath of the latest hurricane.

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Canada (GJDC), Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council (GJDYC), Jamaican Canadian Association, the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations, Big Promotions, Caribbean Queen Jerk, and Reggae North are collaborating under the banner of “the Jamaican diaspora and Friends of Jamaica in Canada” to present ‘Hope for Jamaica: A Community Hurricane Beryl Benefit Concert’ on July 18 at the Jamaican Canadian Centre.

The four-hour event, from 6-10 p.m., requests a minimum contribution of $20 and organisers have indicated that all funds will be donated to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). “Together we can make a difference,” a release notes.

On July 3, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 tropical cyclone, left four dead and hundreds of thousands of homes in Jamaica without electricity and water, adversely impacting mainly the southern parishes of Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Manchester, where housing infrastructure, farms and agricultural lands, roads, trees, and power lines were damaged, and flooding occurred.

Marsha Coore Lobban, high commissioner of Jamaica to Canada, said her office and the consulate general have initiated discussions with honorary consuls across Canada, as well as the GJDC and GJDYC members, presidents and heads of diaspora organisations and other stakeholders. The talks also include the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), Food For The Poor, and David McAnthony Gibson Foundation (GlobalMedic) to facilitate and support a coordinated response to the immediate needs arising from the disaster.

Dr Sylvanus Thompson of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council said over the years, it has been the norm for the Jamaican diaspora to respond whenever there is a disaster in the island.

Referencing the meeting called by the high commission and consulate general, he said even though the assessment was not complete, it was obvious that there was significant damage and assistance would be needed, in cash and relief items.

“Based on our past experience, we suggested that we would do a relief concert to raise funds to be donated to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management,” said Thompson.

Coore Lobban said Alberta has plans to hold a hurricane relief fundraiser at the end of August.

ISLAND-WIDE ASSESSMENT EFFORT

Meanwhile, Food For The Poor Canada said it is responding to emergency relief following Hurricane Beryl.

“Though our Food For The Poor warehouses in both Jamaica and the US are currently stocked with containers of food, hygiene kits, and medical supplies, these will be depleted very soon as we have already begun responding to emergency needs from multiple countries,” it said in an email from its executive director, Geraldine Isaac.

Isaac said donations would “allow us to provide funding for the purchase and replenishment of critical care supplies, such as zinc and lumber for home repairs, food, water, tarpaulins to cover the hundreds of homes without a roof at this time, as well as hygiene and medical aid kits.

“Your support will ensure that we are restocking our warehouses as soon as possible, and ensuring those in need will have access to these critical resources in the coming weeks.”

The Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE) Canada has also initiated a hurricane relief campaign for its sponsored schools in Jamaica. In an email, it said the organisation is in contact with the Early Childhood Commission to get damage assessments of its schools. PACE said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is leading the islandwide assessment effort and will compile a comprehensive “needs list” report.

The Consulate General of Jamaica, Toronto and Consul-General Kurt Davis sent an email to nationals with details about a Hurricane Beryl Relief banking fund under the Office of Disaster Preparedness Emergency-Donation (Relief) through the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited.

The consulate also encouraged contacting the Jamaica High Commission in Ottawa or a local diaspora organisation such as the Jamaican Canadian Association. “Contributions may also be channelled through Food For The Poor Canada,” it noted.

In a bulletin sharing an update on the situation in Jamaica, the Jamaica High Commission informed individuals and organisations interested in making donations directly to institutions and communities that the usual customs guidelines for processing charitable donations and supplies would apply. “We encourage everyone to verify the legitimacy of any donation campaign which may be in the public domain,” it noted.