Jamaican diaspora ready to help rebuild after hurricane

The Jamaican diaspora across the United States is ready and waiting to contribute to the recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl.

Beryl’s eyewall brushed Jamaica’s southern coast Wednesday afternoon, causing power outages and ripping roofs off homes. Several roads in Jamaica were affected by fallen trees and power poles, while some communities in the northern part were without power, according to the government’s news service.

Miami Consul General Oliver Mair said hurricane planning meetings were underway and discussions were underway with Jamaican organizations and leaders in Florida and other parts of the southern region to assist Jamaica and other affected islands if necessary.

“The community is mobilized and ready to help,” Mr. Mair said.

As islanders were urged to prepare, volunteers in South Florida were already packing boxes of canned goods, dry food and hygiene products to send on relief missions. At a news conference held at the warehouses of the nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission, a coalition of Caribbean consuls gathered to share their plans to help those affected.

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The group, led by Mair, focused on the damage in the Caribbean, calling for resources and aid.

Mair was joined by the consuls general of Barbados, the Bahamas and Saint Lucia, as well as representatives from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and advocates from the Caribbean diaspora community. At the press conference, the consuls highlighted the solidarity among the islands in the region, which experience cycles of destruction each hurricane season.

He said it is important that the community is organized and ready to help once the needs are known.

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The Jamaican Consulate in New York said community leaders and various organizations have been put on alert to assist the island with any needs arising from the impact of the hurricane.

“We have reached out to different sectors, including our health professionals, to be ready to assist once the government has informed us of the needs. We are also mobilizing other community organizations to intervene at any time depending on the needs,” he said.

The Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, has also reached out to various community leaders and organizations, asking them to be prepared to assist if needed.

Consulates and the embassy also reported that many Jamaicans have called to ask how they can help with recovery efforts.