Rohan Thompson, a temporary farm worker from Jamaica’s Clarendon parish, closely monitored the progress of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa as it approached the Caribbean earlier this week while he was working in St. Catharines, Ont. Thompson, who has been in Canada since April and is due to return home in late November or early December, expressed his profound emotional turmoil following the devastating impact of Melissa on Jamaica. The hurricane, with wind speeds reaching 297 km/h, made landfall near New Hope in St. Elizabeth, a crucial agricultural region for Jamaica.
The destruction left in the wake of Melissa in St. Elizabeth, particularly in Black River, where up to 90% of structures lost their roofs, was extensive. The hurricane, one of the most potent Atlantic storms to hit land, resulted in 19 fatalities in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti. Thompson, deeply affected by the visuals of the aftermath, highlighted the heartbreak and worry he felt for his girlfriend and her daughter, both residing in St. Elizabeth.
Dale Merrill, a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake with connections to Montego Bay, emphasized the need for support for Jamaican families affected by the storm. Merrill, who co-owns a construction company in Jamaica, expressed concern for the safety of his workers and the unprecedented level of destruction caused by Melissa.
Zepheniah James, a calypsonian who has been living in Niagara Falls for years, reflected on the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, drawing parallels with Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. James, distressed over the condition of his home and business in Montego Bay, urged people to offer assistance to those impacted by the disaster.
In response to the crisis, residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, led by Jane Andres, initiated a donation drive to provide relief supplies for Jamaican seasonal workers returning to Kingston. Andres, who has built close relationships with the workers over the years, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the necessity for aid in the affected regions.
Efforts to support relief initiatives have also prompted caution against potential scams targeting charitable donations. Chris Garwood, representing the Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, advised individuals to verify donation channels to avoid fraudulent activities and ensure contributions reach legitimate relief organizations.
As the impacted communities strive to recover, the call for assistance and solidarity remains crucial in aiding the affected regions in their path towards rebuilding and recovery.