Bank Accounts Open in Toronto for Hurricane Relief

A Hurricane Emergency Relief Committee has been established to co-ordinate relief efforts in Toronto, Canada, following the passage of Hurricane Dean and its devastating impact on Jamaica. The Committee is headed by Consul General, Anne-Marie Bonner.
Four bank accounts have been opened in the Toronto area to accept monetary donations. The Consulate’s Hurricane Relief Fund is at the Bank of Montreal – transit number 2418, account number 806-4589. The Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund is at the Toronto-Dominion (TD) bank – branch number 1020, account number 0690526-8137. The Jamaican Diaspora Disaster Relief Fund is at Bank of Nova Scotia – transit number 50062, account number 0038318, and the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) also has a Disaster Fund at the Royal Bank, transit number 6702, account number 107-651-2.
In the meantime, persons can make cheques payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica and send them to 303 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1L3. Persons are requested to indicate that it is for hurricane relief.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), is reporting that more than 5,000 persons are in shelters, and that disaster response teams are now assessing the damage across the islandwide and the needs of those affected. James Lambert, Director General of the Latin American and Caribbean Bureau of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs has said that in cases of disasters, cash donations are the fastest, most efficient way to get help to people in a disaster zone.
“Cash contributions allow trusted relief agencies to quickly purchase supplies based on the specific needs of the affected population,” he said.
The Consul General is also reminding organizations, individuals and groups that if they intend to fund-raise on behalf of Jamaica, they should inform the Consulate prior to staging the event. Members of the Hurricane Emergency Relief Committee include representatives from the Jamaican Consulate General, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica Information Service, the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations, Jamaican Canadian Association and the Jamaican Diaspora-Canada Foundation.