The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has successfully raised over J$70 million, which has now increased to nearly J$121 million thanks to a matching fund from the NCB Foundation.
This initiative aims to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which nearly made landfall on July 3, 2024, wreaking havoc on the southern coastal areas of Jamaica.
Hurricane Beryl brought strong winds and heavy rains, causing widespread flooding and extensive damage to homes and livelihoods. Reports indicate that over 13,500 homes were affected, with significant damage to telecommunications, infrastructure, public buildings, and healthcare facilities. In regions like Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, residents faced prolonged outages of power and water for weeks following the storm.
The agriculture sector was particularly hard hit, with losses estimated at J$4.73 billion. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, stated, “The devastation from Hurricane Beryl to our agriculture and fisheries sector is extensive, affecting several parishes, with the most severely affected being St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Westmoreland, and St. Catherine. Unfortunately, those parishes represent some of our most productive agricultural zones.”
AFJ has partnered with Food for the Poor Jamaica to implement critical projects in the affected areas. A substantial portion of the funds raised will be directed to the BREDS Treasure Beach Foundation, located in St. Elizabeth, which is focused on reroofing homes and restoring the livelihoods of farmers, fisherfolk, and small businesses in the Greater Treasure Beach area.
Much-needed relief for the South Coast
This generous contribution arrives at a crucial time as affected communities continue to face significant challenges following Hurricane Beryl. The funding will provide essential support, including materials for housing repairs, back-to-school vouchers, and donations of seeds and fertilizer to help revive local farming communities.
Wendy Hart, President of the American Friends of Jamaica, expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts. “The AFJ is proud to partner with the NCB Foundation and Food for the Poor Jamaica to bring relief to Jamaica’s South Coast,” she said. “Our mission is to make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected, and this donation is a testament to the power of collaboration in times of crisis. We believe that by working together, we can rebuild stronger and provide hope to the people of Jamaica.”
The relief efforts are concentrated in the most severely impacted areas, including St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Westmoreland, and St. Catherine, where residents have suffered extensive property damage and disruption to essential infrastructure. With the resources funded by this donation, the goal is to restore livelihoods and enhance the resilience of these communities against future disasters.
Food for the Poor Jamaica will lead the distribution of relief supplies, leveraging its experience in providing aid to affected households. The NCB Foundation, known for its commitment to community outreach and development projects, has been instrumental in amplifying this contribution.
A handover ceremony took place on September 6, 2024, at the offices of Food for the Poor Jamaica, where representatives from the AFJ, BREDS Foundation, and NCB Foundation gathered with local leaders and community members to commemorate the donation.
 has raised over J$70 million, increased to $121 million, for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.){kind=link}