Power Restored: No longer in the dark... What Next?

The residents of St. Elizabeth have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. After enduring weeks without power following Hurricane Beryl, families in the region have shown incredible strength and community spirit. For over a month, many homes in St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon were plunged into darkness; fridges were emptied and unusable, and daily life was significantly disrupted. However, the spirit of the Jamaican people remains unbroken.

At the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, we have been tirelessly working to support these resilient communities. We have partnered with Northern Caribbean University (NCU) to mobilize resources and provide essential aid. One of our first major initiatives was delivering much-needed medication to a medical center in Treasure Beach, ensuring that those in need received critical healthcare support.

Our efforts don't stop there. We have set an ambitious goal of raising $25 million towards our relief initiatives, which include equipping 100 homes with disaster preparedness boxes. These boxes are designed to provide essential items to help families survive and thrive in the aftermath of natural disasters. Each box includes solar fans, solar bulbs, solar generators, first aid kits, insect repellants, and feminine hygiene products. These items are crucial in helping families regain a sense of normalcy and prepare for future challenges.

But our vision for disaster relief goes beyond immediate needs. We are committed to creating long-term sustainability and resilience in Jamaica. Our comprehensive project includes several key components:

1. Water Sustainability: We plan to deploy mobile Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) to provide clean drinking water, create 25 water catchments with 3,000-5,000 gallon capacity for small communities, and equip 700 homes with rainwater harvesting systems and 800-gallon capacity tanks.

2. Energy Sustainability and Independence: We aim to provide 1,000 homes with alternative energy solutions, such as solar and wind technology. The first 700 homes will receive these solutions as part of our repair efforts, and we will identify an additional 300 homes for solar installation. We will also establish connectivity and charging hubs in community centers like churches, allowing residents to charge devices during power outages. Additionally, we will train local contractors on solar installation to build local capacity.

3. Food Security and Agricultural Empowerment: We aim to create additional seedbanks with non-GMO seeds, develop multiple greenhouses and nurseries at NCU, and make agricultural equipment more accessible to farmers. This will help them rebound faster from natural disasters. We also plan to develop solar cold storage facilities to preserve reaped products and meat from local butchers, ensuring food security during disruptions. Furthermore, we will plant orchards of jackfruit, breadfruit, avocado, ackee, banana, plantain, mango, and other trees to replace those lost in the storm.

4. Shelter: Our goal is to repair the roofs of 700 homes, ensuring they are equipped with water catchment systems and some form of solar technology. This will help families stay safe and self-sufficient in future storms.

5. Disaster Preparedness Training and Response: We are also focused on training communities for disaster preparedness and creating a response plan to deploy resources quickly in future emergencies. Our long-term goal is to prepare 1,000 homes for disaster with our comprehensive preparedness boxes.
   

Mobilizing our partners on the ground, we are conducting thorough assessments, going community by community to identify households that will benefit the most from these disaster preparedness boxes and other initiatives. This personalized approach ensures that our aid reaches those who need it the most.

The agricultural sector has also been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl, with damages now estimated at $6.5 billion. The loss of crops and livestock will have a ripple effect on the local economy and food supply across the nation. This situation underscores the importance of our mission: to build a resilient and sustainable future for Jamaica and the Caribbean. Our vision is to create a future where every Jamaican has access to the resources and support they need to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.

As another weather pattern forms in the Atlantic, our work becomes even more urgent. We need more funding to continue our efforts and expand our reach. We call on you to support our cause. Share this article, donate to the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, and follow us on social media. Your support will help us achieve our goal and provide critical aid to those who need it most.

Join us in our mission to create a resilient and sustainable Jamaica. Together, we can make a difference.

Call to Action:

• Donate: Your contributions will help us equip more homes with disaster preparedness boxes and support our broader relief initiatives.

• Share: Spread the word by sharing this article with your network.

• Follow Us: Stay updated on our progress by following us on social media.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our mission to build a stronger, more resilient Jamaica.