Distribution of Hurricane Beryl Relief Supplies Brings Relief To 300 Persons Across Four Parishes – July 2024 

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which unleashed heavy rains and strong winds across Jamaica, communities in several parishes faced significant challenges. Homes were damaged, roads were blocked, and many families found themselves in urgent need of assistance.  

Damage Assessment 

St. Elizabeth, known as the “breadbasket of Jamaica,” was severely impacted, with extensive damage to crops and infrastructure. For many families who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, the storm was a devastating blow. 

In St. Catherine, the communities most impacted by the hurricane were Old Harbour Bay, Spanish Town, and Troja. Old Harbour Bay suffered the most from the storm surge, and homes had extensive roof damage. Spanish Town experienced significant flooding and damaged roofs, while Troja faced flooding and infrastructure damage to houses.  

Post Hurricane assessments also indicated a need for housing materials, food, clothing, bedding, and sanitation items in South Manchester communities, including New Forest, Alligator Pond, Asia, Victoria Town, Grove Town, Cross Keys and sections of Porus. Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon were reported as some of the worst affected communities.  

A Coordinated Relief Effort 

In response to this disaster, a coordinated effort was made to distribute much-needed relief supplies to four of the hardest-hit parishes: St. Catherine, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon. The initiative was led by the 180 Degree Foundation in collaboration with the Transformed Life Church (TLC). TLC put out a call to its congregants to donate to the relief effort and received an overwhelming response! Supplies valued at over JA$2M were collected over a period of one week and included food items, bottled water, hygiene supplies, and cleaning agents.  The distribution of the supplies was a collaborative effort involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local volunteers. The primary coordinating agency was the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and in the case of St Elizabeth, transportation of supplies to the parish was facilitated by the Jamaica Defence Force Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).

With logistics carefully planned to ensure that aid reached those in need as quickly as possible, the operation covered both urban and rural areas across the four parishes. Supplies were distributed in phases, with priority given to the most vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly.  

This initiative provided essential support to over 300 individuals who were struggling to recover from the storm’s impact. 

Community Spirit is Alive 

For the impacted persons across St. Catherine, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon, the distribution of relief supplies was more than just a delivery of goods—it was a symbol of hope and resilience. The collaborative effort showcased the strength of community spirit in Jamaica.  

A representative of one of the partnering agencies on the ground expressed their thanks in this way “On behalf of the community residents affected by Hurricane Beryl, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation. Your support is invaluable in aiding our relief efforts and helping those in need to recover and rebuild their lives. Your kindness and compassion make a significant difference, and we are truly grateful for your partnership in this time of need.”