D&G Foundation donates $1 million for hurricane relief in S E Clarendon

As hurricane recovery efforts ramp up across the nation, the Desnoes and Geddes (D&G) Foundation has initiated its outreach with a donation of $1 million to South Eastern Clarendon, providing support for residents grappling with the aftermath.

This contribution will fund the purchase of essential tools and materials needed to rebuild homes severely damaged by the storm. Pearnel Charles Jr, member of parliament for South Eastern Clarendon, emphasised the importance of collective efforts to restore hope and stability to the affected communities during the official handover on July 24.

“My constituency of South East Clarendon was hit intensely by the recent hurricane. The aftermath has left us with extensive damage: several homes are completely destroyed, and important structures like churches, schools, and community centres have been flattened or severely impacted. Additionally, the two days of rain that followed the hurricane caused extensive flooding, worsening the situation. This means that not only were the homes damaged externally, but their interiors were also severely affected,” shared Charles Jr.

Unfortunately, pre-existing infrastructure weaknesses worsened the hurricane’s impact, revealing the vulnerability of many buildings across the constituency. The construction of numerous homes made them particularly susceptible to damage.

“Partnerships, such as the one with the Desnoes & Geddes Foundation, give us hope that our rebuilding and recovery efforts will be successful. The immediate goal is to provide basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Long-term, we need to think about restoration, sustainability, and resilience. This includes ensuring that whatever we rebuild can withstand future hurricanes, looking at the design of the space, possible relocation, and restructuring of drains to keep people safer,” added Charles Jr.

The relief efforts in South Eastern Clarendon are extensive, addressing the needs of thousands of affected individuals. Particularly, over 90 per cent of residents in the southern part of the Rocky Point division—encompassing areas such as Mitchell Town, Rocky Point, Portland Cottage, Alley, Gale, Gibb Town, Longwood, Dinell Town, and Rocky Settlement—have experienced varying degrees of impact. This includes total destruction, severe and minor damage, flood damage, and indirect effects from accommodating displaced persons.

Compassionate towards the challenges faced by those affected, Dianne Ashton Smith of the D&G Foundation emphasised that the charity’s donation aims to support constituents in rebuilding and preparing for future challenges.

“At the Desnoes & Geddes Foundation, we believe in the power of collective action to bring about meaningful change. Our donation to South Eastern Clarendon is more than just financial support; it’s a testament to our commitment to rebuilding lives and communities in the face of adversity. The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has underscored the urgent need for sustainable recovery efforts. By investing in the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure, we’re not only addressing immediate needs but also fostering long-term resilience. This initial contribution is just the beginning; we plan to continue our support and expand our efforts to assist affected communities in recovering fully and emerging stronger, better prepared for future challenges,” affirmed D&G Foundation Director Dianne Ashton Smith.

The D&G Foundation has committed to making additional donations over the coming weeks to further support and accelerate the recovery efforts across the island.