Rohan Thompson, a temporary farm worker from Jamaica’s Clarendon parish, was closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Melissa while working in St. Catharines, Ont. He has been in Canada since April and is due to return home in late November or early December. Thompson expressed his deep emotional distress after witnessing the devastating impact of Melissa, one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the Caribbean.
As Melissa struck Jamaica with 297 km/h winds near New Hope in St. Elizabeth, known as the island’s agricultural hub, up to 90% of structures in Black River were left roofless. The hurricane, one of the strongest to make landfall in the Atlantic, caused widespread destruction, resulting in 19 deaths in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti.
Thompson shared his heartbreak over the scenes of devastation, particularly worrying about his girlfriend and her daughter in St. Elizabeth. He highlighted the dire situation faced by many Jamaican seasonal workers in the Niagara region, who play a crucial role in supporting local farms and wineries during harvest season.
Dale Merrill, a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake with ties to Montego Bay, emphasized the need for assistance to Jamaican families affected by the storm. Merrill, who co-owns a construction company in Jamaica, expressed concern for his workers and the unprecedented damage caused by Melissa’s extreme winds.
Zepheniah James, a calypsonian from Montego Bay living in Niagara Falls, recounted the devastation caused by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and drew parallels to the current situation in Jamaica. He urged people to offer support to those in need, reflecting on the challenges faced by his own family back home.
In response to the disaster, residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, like Jane Andres, rallied support for Jamaican seasonal farmers by organizing donations for relief supplies. Despite logistical challenges, efforts are underway to provide essential items to support the affected communities in Jamaica.
As relief initiatives are being mobilized, caution is advised when donating to ensure that contributions reach the intended recipients. Officials recommend verifying donation channels through established organizations to avoid potential scams and maximize the impact of assistance efforts.
