UPDATE: Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc on Jamaica, sparking urgent calls for relief as the island grapples with devastating impacts. As of October 28, 2023, reports indicate that the storm made landfall as a maximum category 5 hurricane, with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, causing widespread destruction, particularly in the parish of St. Elizabeth.
Jamaica Arts Holding (JAH), led by Andrea Davis, has been pivotal in disseminating real-time updates to the Jamaican diaspora. Utilizing phone networks and WhatsApp, JAH has kept communities informed about the storm’s catastrophic aftermath, despite significant communication challenges. From Kingston, where power outages have affected most areas, JAH shared harrowing images of flooded streets, destroyed homes, and uprooted trees.
Davis, alongside her daughter Angel and husband Shaun, took swift action to deliver essential supplies to victims in St. Elizabeth. “It was the first time I had ever experienced a storm without lightning and thunder,” she reflected during a live broadcast on WBAI radio, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this disaster.
The global response has been swift. The Jah Jah Foundation has partnered with the American Foundation of the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) to raise funds for recovery efforts. Ann Marie Grant, executive director of AFUWI, warned against potential fraud in donation channels, urging the public to use verified methods such as Zelle and reputable platforms.
In a significant gesture of solidarity, Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré extended support to affected Jamaicans, echoing the sentiments of Bob Marley’s song “Africa Unite.” This comes alongside initiatives from various organizations, including the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), which convened an emergency meeting to strategize fundraising efforts for those in dire need.
A benefit concert is set for Sunday in Toronto, Canada, while churches in England are organizing tithes to assist Jamaica. The Jamaica Customs Agency has also announced a 30-day tax waiver on essential disaster relief items, effective from October 29 to November 28, 2023, including solar flood lights and first aid kits.
Amid the chaos, warnings have emerged about fraudulent donation sites. The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT) has issued alerts about scams exploiting the disaster, advising donors to verify official channels ending in “.gov.jm.”
In a heartwarming development, unverified reports suggest that actor Denzel Washington donated $500,000 for recovery, while dancehall star Sean Paul has committed to matching up to $50,000 in donations, partnering with Food for the Poor to deliver aid.
As the recovery efforts progress, the impact of Hurricane Melissa continues to resonate throughout the Caribbean. While Jamaica faces immense challenges, neighboring countries like Haiti and the Dominican Republic are also grappling with the storm’s aftermath.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue to monitor developments closely. The urgent need for assistance is clear, and the call for global solidarity reverberates across the island. As residents rally together, they hold tightly to the hope embodied in the words of Jamaica’s first national hero, Marcus Garvey: “One God, One Aim, One Destiny.”
