The aftermath of hurricane Beryl has left a number of families homeless and Food For The Poor (FFTP) Jamaica, in their commitment as first responders, is spearheading the swift distribution of relief packages to aid those most severely affected.
Kivette Silvera Stephens, executive director of FFTP Jamaica, outlined the urgent deployment of resources.
“Today (Thursday), our field officers and drivers are distributing essential items in Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and St Thomas, particularly focusing on communities ravaged by flooding and structural damage,” she said.
“This morning, we received a call from a distressed mother in a shelter, having lost her home. Providing food, hygiene items, and tarpaulin not only meets their immediate needs but restores hope for a return to normalcy.” She stressed that there’s “no timeline on our relief efforts”.
“We will continue until the communities are stabilised,” she said. As operations buzzed to complete the packaging, the operations manager for the day, Shauna-Kay Bernard, said FFTP had partnered with other agencies like UNICEF to ensure packages reach the most vulnerable communities.
“All staff is on deck, engaging in relief efforts. We’re preparing hygiene kits with essentials like soap, tissue, rags, deodorant, and first aid kits, enough to sustain a family for up to two weeks,” she said.
Director of Agriculture and Fisheries and Disaster Preparedness for FFTP, Nakhle Hado, said teams are mobilised across the worst hit parishes.
“We’re also reaching out to farming and fishing communities affected by storm surges,” Hado said. “Farmers will receive tools for clean-up and livestock care, while fishermen are provided with essentials like water and protective gear. This is just phase one of our response. Assessments will follow to address longer-term needs, such as restoring lost livelihoods.”
– T.P.
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