Chinese Community Donates $2.5 Million in Relief Supplies to St. Ann
By: , November 6, 2025
Photo: Reneek Brown
Mayor of St Ann's Bay, Michael Belnavis (fourth right), shares a moment with representatives from the Jamaica Guandong Association, following the handover of $2.5 million in Hurricane Melissa relief aid from the Chinese community at the St. Ann Municipal Corporation on November 3. They are joined Chief Executive Officer of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, Jennifer Cunningham (fifth right), and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Photo: Reneek Brown
Cases of bottled water were among $2.5 million in Hurricane Melissa relief aid donated by the Jamaica Guangdong Association to the St. Ann community. The handover took place at the St. Ann Municipal Corporation in St. Ann's Bay on November 3.The Full Story
The Chinese community, through the Guangdong Association, has donated approximately $2.5 million worth of relief supplies to support recovery efforts in St. Ann’s Bay following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The donation, which includes bottled water, toiletries, and basic food items such as flour and rice, will be distributed to the St. Ann’s Bay Infirmary, senior citizens, and residents whose homes were damaged during the hurricane.
Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, told JIS News on Monday (November 3) that the contribution was in response to an appeal made to the business community for assistance.
“We put out an SOS to the business community, and the Chinese community in St. Ann’s Bay responded in a big way,” he said.
The Mayor noted that each councillor in the parish will receive approximately 100 care packages for distribution across their respective divisions.
He informed that the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, will also be providing care packages to supplement local recovery efforts.
Additionally, the St. Ann’s Bay Municipal Corporation has partnered with food establishments, including Island Grill and Mother’s restaurant to provide meals and water to affected residents.
He noted that access to “clean, fresh, potable water is important right now, so we’re ensuring that this happens” Mayor Belnavis said.