Utility Companies Join Forces to Assist St. Elizabeth Residents
By: , July 17, 2024
Photo: Jermaine Stewart
Representatives from Digicel Foundation and Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation unload tarpaulins for distribution to residents of St. Elizabeth impacted by the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl. The entities, in collaboration with Flow Foundation and Food For the Poor, delivered care packages to residents of Parottee, Slipe and Crawford, among other areas on July 10.The Full Story
The charity arms of three of the island’s major utility companies joined with Food For the Poor to give back to residents of St. Elizabeth on July 10.
Digicel Foundation, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation and Flow Foundation, came together to distribute much-needed care packages containing non-perishable food items and water, and tarpaulins to persons in Parottee, Slipe and Crawford, among other areas.
St. Elizabeth was one of the parishes hardest hit by the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, causing severe structural and agricultural damage.
Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Commercial at JPS, Pia Baker, told journalists that having witnessed the devastation caused by the hurricane in southern Jamaica, the entities were inspired to join hands and hearts to help those in need.
“We didn’t have to wait until we were bringing power to bring some kind of relief or restoration efforts to the residents of St. Elizabeth,” she said, adding that support will be extended to residents in other parishes.
She noted that while power restoration in ongoing “today is really meant [for helping people] to meet their day-to-day needs”.
“[We] are giving out care packages to the residents that were affected, in addition to giving out tarpaulins. We are working with some communities that we are already very familiar with based on work that we have done in those areas,” she noted.
Chairperson of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clarke, underscored the organisation’s commitment to helping those in need.
“This is what today is all about, giving support to persons who are affected,” she said.
Digicel and Flow also facilitated the charging of devices at the Black River High School.
Meanwhile, resident of Parottee, Advira Bennett, told JIS News that she was grateful for the assistance being rendered.
She said the experience of Hurricane Beryl was “frightening”.
“It was terrible, the breeze and the rain. My roof lifted and I have to use canvas and other things [as cover]. The hurricane was a terrible one. I was so frightened. Right now, I need a water drum because I have no water. I lost a lot.” she said.