Diaspora disaster relief mobilisation moves to targeted areas

Diaspora disaster relief mobilisation has moved into a targeted phase where relief supplies are being sourced to assist critical areas to get the country back up and running.

To this end, relief efforts are being focused on getting generators, solar-powered batteries, as well as mobile hospitals.

At the same time, the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, has established a registry of volunteers where the skill set of volunteers can be matched with the most urgent needs in Jamaica. So far, the embassy said more than 300 volunteers have been registered.

Dr Robert Clarke, head of Help Jamaica Medical Mission, and Dr Bill Tinglin have sourced a mobile hospital, which will be stationed in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, to help provide medical services to residents.

The mobile hospital will provide such services as emergency care and triage services, prenatal and maternal healthcare, wound treatment and medication distribution, and diagnostic and monitoring technology

Clarke told The Gleaner that while there was not yet a date to get the mobile hospital into Jamaica, they were working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to ensure that the hospital meets Jamaica’s specifications.

He noted that while the mobile hospital would initially be stationed in Bethel Town, which has been hard hit, it could also move to other areas where there is need.

SOLAR-POWERED BATTERIES

Beverley Nichols, who owns a nurse recruiting service in Queens, New York, told The Gleaner that she had purchased 225 solar-powered batteries to be sent to Jamaica.

The first 25 batteries will arrive in Jamaica next Tuesday with the other 200 batteries arriving in the island later next week.

Nichols, who is no stranger to giving back to Jamaica, having provided US$1.4 million to refurbish the Chapelton Hospital and furnish the operation ward, told The Gleaner that she purchased the batteries for Jamaica following discussions with the Government on the priority needs of those affected.

Working in conjunction with Dr Trisha Bailey, Nichols said the batteries are being provided through her Push Start Foundation.

“These batteries are capable of powering refrigerators, homes, and cell phones and last for around 12 hours,” she said.

The batteries, she said, would be distributed in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, and Clarendon, initially.

She said more of the high-voltage batteries would be purchased, if needed, to send to Jamaica to provide relief to those most in need.

Each battery costs around US$800.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s well-known comedian and actor Oliver Samuels told The Gleaner that proceeds from his shows to be staged in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland later this month would go towards Westwood High School and other relief efforts.

The Jamaican Consulate in New York has also reported a high level of support coming into its offices.

Christopher Benjamin, community relations officer at the consulate, told The Gleaner that many people in the community had been using the amazon.com website to send supplies to the consulate for shipping to Jamaica.

“We have a number of boxes of supplies that came in from people who used Amazon to send the goods, and we are currently sorting through for shipping to Jamaica,” he said.

He also pointed out that several boxes of supplies were collected by the St Lucian Consulate in New York last Sunday, which have since been turned over to the Jamaican Consulate for shipment.

Una Clarke, City University of New York (CUNY) board member, told The Gleaner that Food For the Poor, with which she has partnered, will be connecting relief supplies from the CUNY campuses in the city for shipping to Jamaica.

Jamaican educators and friends in New York have also partnered with Bailey to send supplies to the island to assist the relief efforts.

They are sending waterproof tents, flashlights, and supplies, which will assist in alleviating shelter concerns in the short term.

Jamaican members of the New York Police Department will also be doing relief supply connection drives and have asked people attending their gala today to take relief supplies with them for collection.

Irie Jam radio will be staging a relief supply collection drive this Saturday with a radiothon in Queens, New York.

Listeners have been urged to support the relief drive.

editorial@gleanerjm.com