More than a week after Melissa, we are getting reports of people in Jamaica (esp. St Elizabeth) still suffering due to lack of shelter and even cases of starvation. There are two ways you can help:
Financial support
The UK government recommends monetary donations to the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), which will be used to purchase food and goods to help Jamaicans. The government will match any donation made through this link: https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ifrc/hurricane-melissa/~my-donation?_cv=1
Donating items of urgent need
The African Caribbean Research Group is coordinating non-financial donations to send to Jamaica to help people affected by the devastation of hurricane Melissa. Donations can be dropped off at the NCI, 1 Holland Street, Cambridge CB4 3DL – please email info@acrgcambridge.org in advance to check time and availability of volunteers or for any other information. All donations will be first delivered to one of the national collection points in London, to be then shipped to Jamaica. You can see a list of items donated so far here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yB9x0yp2t6o8pwCLxsndpJgSL7z8QuCnl8EzIQ1UsUc/edit?usp=sharing
It is expected aid will take 3 to 5 weeks to reach people in need. Even if this is going to be weeks after the hurricane, all kit will still be used because of the number of people affected and the difficulty to deliver the quantity of aid needed.
If you wish to make a donation, these are the most critical items needed:
Comfort & shelter items
- Batteries – AA, AAA, C, D (this size being the most needed)
- Bedding foams
- Sleeping mats
- Cots
- Flashlights
- Lanterns – solar or battery powered
- Mattresses
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Ropes/bungee cords
- Tarpaulins (UV treated, waterproof, reinforced edged, with eyelets)
- Mobile storage units/quick erect shelters
- Small water containers
Clothing & footwear
- T-shirts
- Shorts & pants
- Underwear (new)
- Slippers & shoes
- Towels
- Children’s clothing
- Baby clothes
- Light jackets or sweaters
- Gloves & masks
Food and drinks (no cooking required)
- Corned beef
- Tin mackerel
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Tin sausages
- Crackers
- Bun
- Bread
- Biscuits
Packaging & Serving Supplies
- Plastic bags
- Boxes for packing
- Paper plates
- Plastic cups
- Plastic forks
- Sanitary napkins
- Deodorant
- Baby wipes