Jamaicans in Canada eager to help their homeland
Published:Monday | November 3, 2025 | 12:06 AMNeil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer
As Jamaican-Canadians consider how they can help their homeland, ravaged by the fury of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican High Commission in Ottawa held a meeting last week underscoring that it is vital to prepare for recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The high commission and the consulate-general initiated discussions with the major diaspora associations to facilitate a coordinated relief mobilisation strategy to help address the needs emerging from the hurricane’s passage.
The meeting included honorary consuls, members of the clergy, representatives of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and Youth Council, and presidents and heads of Jamaican organisations and associations.
“The usual support of the diaspora in providing essential relief items including non-perishable food, purified water and hygiene kits, as well as financial support will be greatly appreciated. The ‘Needs List’ as provided by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be shared with the community in due course. Correspondence regarding donations can be directed to donationcoordination@odpem.org.jm,” it said in a notice to the Jamaica diaspora community. The website for Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief is https://supportjamaica.gov.jm.
Describing the meeting as fruitful, High Commissioner Marsha Coore Lobban was grateful for all the offers of help that she had received.
“Your valuable insights, commitment and willingness to collaborate are deeply appreciated as we prepare to support Jamaica’s recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of this powerful hurricane. The high commission looks forward to continued engagement and partnership as we work together to ensure an effective and timely response to the needs of those affected,” said Anatassia Balfour, first secretary/vice consul at the High Commission for Jamaica.
Coore Lobban noted that ODPEM has established a Central Coordination Platform to facilitate donations. Correspondence can be directed to donationcoordination@odpem.org.jm.
The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC has been designated as the centralised coordinating overseas diplomatic mission for receiving communications related to Hurricane Melissa. Correspondence may be directed to disasterresponse@jamaicaembassy.org.
Individuals in Canada can contact directly the Jamaican High Commission or the Consulate General at Toronto. The designated emergency contact details for the High Commission and Consulate General are jamaica@jhcottawa.ca and (343) 999- 3714, and info-jcgtoronto@mfaft.gov.jm, respectively.
RELIABLE SOURCES
“We urge that you continue to monitor the situation through reliable sources such as the Jamaica Information Service ( jis.gov.jm); the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management ( odpem.org.jm) and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica ( metservice.gov.jm),” stated a notice from the high commission.
“The high commission, consulate general in Toronto and our honorary consuls across Canada will continue to monitor the situation closely and will also provide regular updates as they become available. Updates will also be posted on the missions’ social media platforms: Instagram: Jamaican High Commission (jamaicanhighcommissionottawa) and Consulate General (cgjamtoronto). Let us continue to pray for our country and the safety of fellow citizens and visitors to the island,” it said.
In light of the anticipated impacts across all sectors from Hurricane Melissa, the Government of Jamaica has developed a preliminary needs list to support and facilitate national response and recovery efforts, scaled to support an estimated 400,000 affected persons.
Canadian media were replete with stories about Hurricane Melissa’s onslaught on Jamaica with Coore Lobban being interviewed on CTV News; Angella Bennett, regional director-Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board on CBC Radio; Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government on CBC Radio’s ‘As It Happens’, and interviews with Jamaicans residing in Jamaica, and visitors to Jamaica.
Atlas Cargo, a Canada-based freight forwarding company, is also engaged in the coordinated relief effort for Jamaica.
Its president and CEO, Dr Ken Singh, has initiated a coordinated humanitarian operation under the banner of Hurricane Relief Jamaica, supported logistically by the company.
“This initiative is based on our past emergency relief work, including our major contribution to Puerto Rico, where we transported medical supplies, generators, and essential food during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The systems, partnerships, and logistical capacity developed then are being activated again now,” he said in an email to the high commissioner.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has assured all visitors currently on the island that their safety remains the top priority as the country continues its comprehensive preparedness and response efforts for Hurricane Melissa.
The Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC), activated under the Ministry of Tourism, is fully operational and serves as the central coordinating hub for all activities within the tourism sector related to the hurricane response. The centre monitors development, coordinates communication, and ensures a seamless flow of information between hotels, attractions, trade and other key stakeholders, transportation providers, and relevant government agencies,” noted a media release.