South Florida community ready to respond after Hurricane Beryl

As Jamaica recovers from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, nationals and friends in the diaspora are mobilizing to support the country’s recovery efforts.

Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair, who also chairs the South Florida Caribbean Consular Corp, expressed gratitude for the rapid response from community groups, individuals, charities and businesses eager to help.

The Consul General indicated that the Consulate General office is awaiting a full assessment of the damage from the Jamaican government, which will then be shared with the community. In the meantime, relief efforts have already begun, with people responding to calls for emergency supplies, cash donations to established fund programs, and volunteers helping to prepare packages for immediate shipment. Local media have also been actively seeking updates on the situation.

Various networks in South Florida have been mobilized to support relief efforts. Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a South Florida-based charity, has begun packing emergency kits and supplies to ship to Jamaica, as well as Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent, which were also severely affected by the hurricane. Volunteers and donors can visit GEM’s headquarters at 1850 NW 84 Avenue, Suite 100 in Doral, or register online. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended for volunteers.

Food for the Poor, another global charity based in Florida, has also launched relief operations for the affected areas.

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In Lauderhill, Commissioner Denise Grant announced that the City Commission is organizing a supply drive for Caribbean islands affected by Hurricane Beryl. Donations can be dropped off at John Mullin Park, 2000 NW 55th Avenue in Lauderhill, from Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Suggested items include:

• New blankets and sheets
• New baby beds
• Garden waste bags
• Canned and non-perishable foods that have not expired
• New sleeping bags
• New work gloves
• Solar powered lamps/flashlights
• Industrial sponges
• Professional first aid kits
• New tarpaulins
• Personal hygiene kits
• New washcloths
• Baby food, diapers and wipes

The city of Miramar has also listed several donation drop-off locations, including fire stations, police stations and community centers:

Fire stations:

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• Fire Station 19: 6700 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33023
• Fire Station 70: 9001 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33025
• Fire Station 107: 11811 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33025
• Fire Station 84: 14801 SW 27 Street, Miramar, FL 33027
• Fire Station 100: 2800 SW 184th Ave, Miramar, FL 33029

Police locations:

• Police Headquarters: 11765 City Hall Promenade, Miramar, FL 33025
• Historic Public Safety Complex – East Station: 3500 SW 69th Avenue, Miramar, FL 33023
• PD West Substation: 2811 SW 186th Ave, Miramar, FL 33029

Community centers:

• Multi-Service Complex: 6700 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL 33023
• Sunset Lakes Community Center: 2801 SW 186th Ave, Miramar, FL 33029

Consul General Mair noted that the Consulate General office has received an overwhelming number of calls from members of the diaspora eager to support their home countries after witnessing the significant impact of Hurricane Beryl. He encouraged everyone to stay updated via the media, social media and websites for the latest information following the country’s damage assessments.

Read: Jamaican diaspora ready to help rebuild after hurricane