The Jamaican Diaspora across United States is ready and waiting to assist with recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
Beryl’s eye wall brushed by Jamaica’s southern coast Wednesday afternoon knocking out power and ripping roofs off homes. Several roadways in Jamaica were impacted by fallen trees and utility poles, while some communities in the northern section were without electricity, according to the government’s Information Service.
Miami Consul General Oliver Mair said hurricane planning meetings are in motion and there have been ongoing discussions with Jamaican organizations and leaders in Florida and other parts of the Southern region on assisting to Jamaica and the other Impacted islands if called upon.
“The community is mobilized and ready to help,” Mair reported
While islanders were being urged to prepare, volunteers in South Florida were already packing boxes of canned goods, dry food and hygiene products to ship on relief missions. At a press conference held at the warehouse facilities of the nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission a coalition of Caribbean consuls gathered to share their plans to assist those affected.
The group, headed by Mair, was focused on damage across the Caribbean, calling for resources and aid.
Mair was joined by the Consul Generals of Barbados, the Bahamas and St. Lucia, and representatives from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as community advocates of the Caribbean diaspora. Consuls at the press conference highlighted the solidarity among the islands of the region, which live through cycles of destruction every hurricane season.
He said that it is important for the community to be organized and ready to lend assistance once the needs are known.
The Jamaican Consulate in New York reported that community leaders and various organizations have been placed on standby 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 mobilizing other community organizations to move at a moment’s notice depending on the needs,” it stated.
The Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, has also reached out to various community leaders and organizations, asking them to be ready to assist as needed.
The consulates and embassy have also reported that numerous Jamaicans have been calling to query how they can assist with recovery efforts.
