Kingston, Jamaica: – The LASCO Chin Foundation and more than 39 strategic partners, have distributed over 13,070 emergency relief packages to families across the western and northern parishes in Jamaica, devastated by Hurricane Melissa. 3,399 additional packages are being processed.
The Category 5 storm, which made landfall on October 28, unleashed catastrophic damage across several parishes, leaving tens of thousands of families without basic necessities. In response, the Foundation activated its Phase 1 Rapid Relief Programme, mobilizing a network of corporate partners, churches, diaspora organizations, community organizations, regional affiliates through the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance, among others, to deliver urgently needed food and special relief packages for women, children and entrepreneurs.
“This disaster has touched every Jamaican. The physical and psychological needs are immense, especially among mothers, children, and micro/small entrepreneurs who form the backbone of local communities,” said Professor Rosalea Hamilton, CEO of the LASCO Chin Foundation. “Our team moved immediately to provide lifelines- food, water, hygiene items and hope — to families who lost so much. We are humbled by the resilience of the Jamaican people and inspired to continue to help them help themselves.”
Within a week of the hurricane, more than 5,800 packages were prepared and dispatched to the hardest-hit areas in collaboration with major partners JWN Foundation, VM Foundation Ltd, Scotiabank Group, Operation Save Jamaica, the New Testament Church of God, Supreme Ventures Foundation, Sandals Foundation, IGL Limited (IGnite Foundation) and dedicated volunteers. That number surged as other partners, including, BCIC, Jamaica Energy Partners Group, Sean Paul Foundation and AJ Dybantsa Foundation joined efforts by providing more than Ja$50,000,000 to finance and transport more packages, including vital supplies for women, children and entrepreneurs.
Together with US$4,405.34 online donations mainly from overseas donors, the Foundation’s ongoing processing and distribution now surpasses 16,000, with more than 13,000 relief packages already delivered to families in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, St. James, Hanover, Trelawny and St. Ann.
“We are offering relief with needed reassurance, solidarity and love,” Hamilton said. “Our message to every affected family is simple: You are not alone. Jamaica will rise stronger, and LASCO will walk with you on this journey.”
The Foundation’s response is part of a wider three-phase recovery plan that includes restoring livelihoods for micro and small enterprises and supporting long-term community resilience. In collaboration with the Institute of Law and Economics, Phase 2 has already started with 6 micro entrepreneurs receiving restocking supplies for corner shops and restart supplies for cookshops.
For further information, please contact: Anna-Kay McIntosh at anna-kay.mcintosh@lascochinfoundation.org