UK High Commissioner Welcomes Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Alexander Williams, has welcomed the support from persons in the UK who have been donating supplies and volunteering to aid in Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa.

“The response has been overwhelming. The different drop-off points that we have for freight forwarders… they’re overwhelmed. The goods are piling up at their centres… and they have had to be asking for volunteers to go and assist them with the packaging and putting the shipments together,” he told JIS News in a recent interview.

Mr. Williams was providing an overview of the response from the UK to assist in the Hurricane Melissa relief in the aftermath of the deadly hurricane, which made landfall in the island on October 28.

He shared that his office has launched a coordinated donation campaign across the UK, in partnership with community organisations, individuals, churches, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and businesses.

“We have been promoting drop-off points across the UK and Scotland, where persons can go and drop off items purchased in accordance with the needs list. So, that is one of the main initiatives,” Mr. Williams explained.

He noted that the High Commission has also facilitated a weekly town hall meeting where discussions and planning on national impact and relief coordination are had.

The High Commissioner explained that his team has also received support from several members of the Commonwealth.

“I also chair the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) caucus here in the United Kingdom, and of course, my fellow CARICOM High Commissioners have pledged their support in whatever way they can,” he told JIS News.

Mr. Williams noted, further, that fundraisers are being undertaken by several charities, including the Association of Jamaicans UK Trust, Jamaica Society Leeds, the Jamaican Hospital League of Friends, and the Jamaica Society (Manchester).

“There are many charitable organisations spread across the UK who are active and actually fundraising right now, and I try my very best to assist each and every one of them,” he stated.

Mr. Williams shared that on a typical day, his office is receiving 10 to 15 emails from different organisations and individuals wanting to be a part of the relief effort.

The High Commissioner emphasised that his team has prioritised the items listed on the needs list published by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

He urged Jamaicans in the diaspora to continue to be generous as they donate critical items and to volunteer where possible, to assist freight forwarders who are organising shipments to the island.

“I encourage any person wishing to volunteer simply to call the freight forwarder [or] shipper and say that you are willing to volunteer. That’s the best way forward,” Mr. Williams outlined.

For others looking to volunteer in Jamaica, he urged them to register on the official Hurricane Melissa relief website – supportjamaica.gov.jm – which is a central hub being managed by the Government.

“We’re talking about the relief workers, the doctors, whoever it is that we will need, line workers, and so on… . Time will come when they will reach out to those volunteers to have them assist in the recovery effort,” the High Commissioner added.