Supplies flow from diaspora to parishes ravaged by Hurricane Melissa
by Mickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer · The GleanerWESTERN BUREAU:
When Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica’s southern and western parishes nearly a month ago, the silence it left behind — dead phones, vanished roads, unanswered calls — sparked a wave of action from the diaspora.
Barrel drives, Amazon lists, fundraising pages, and voice notes began circulating at a pace that felt almost instinctive and the Jamaican diaspora did what it has always done in times of crisis: It moved with urgency.
Shenica Springer, co-founder of the High-Rise Tribe and a Trinidadian, remembers watching the devastation unfold and knowing exactly where her team would be needed. The entertainment brand, known for high-energy events, has always worn its humanitarian heart openly.“The High-Rise Tribe is more than a brand. It is a movement built on vision, compassion, and innovation,” she said. “We were always dedicated to giving back.”
One of their very own, Alexia Parris, a member of the High-Rise family, is from the areas hit hardest. A resident of Lucea, Hanover, Parris was worried sick about the well-being of her mother and other relatives when calls would go straight to voicemail.
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“Supporting Alexia wasn’t just about sending aid, it was about standing beside family and showing that love rises higher than any storm,” Springer told The Gleaner.
In New York, the team packed barrels with non-perishables, medical supplies, hygiene items, clothing and power banks. Parris herself organised donations, collecting one and a half barrels and two suitcases.
Parris will personally deliver supplies to Petersfield, New Hope, Farm, Black River, Whitehouse and Darliston. Donors abroad found reassurance in her presence. “They knew someone would physically give these goods to the people who need them,” Parris said.
Support also came from unexpected places, including her Bellevue Laboratory Hospital colleagues, who donated five bags of brand-new clothes.
“All areas of the labs came in to join with the initiative,” she said.
Springer said the long-term vision stretches beyond the storm because the aim is to explore ideas such as partnering with non-government organisations to help with the reconstruction of homes, schools, community centres.
“We believe the western region will rise stronger than before,” she said.
Rallying Support in DC
Over 200 miles away, in Washington, DC, Imani Murdock was creating her own relief drive following her personal experience with Hurricane Beryl last year.
“This is now my second time organising a relief drive after a devastating hurricane,” she said.
She assisted with Hurricane Beryl relief last year while working with USAID in Jamaica and used those connections again as Melissa approached.
She focused on items often forgotten like hygiene kits, sanitary products, sleeping bags and insect repellent.
“I created an Amazon relief list so people could send items directly if they weren’t comfortable donating money,” she said.
Murdock plans to travel to Jamaica in December to distribute supplies. “
“I’m a stickler for just making sure we’re doing things right, dotting every I, crossing every T,” she told The Gleaner. “This recovery effort is not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take years to rebuild, and I’m happy to be a part of it however I can.”
She believes the diaspora’s responsibility is bigger than barrels and money transfers.
“We have people in powerful places, and we should be using our network to help Jamaica if we can,” she said. “If we don’t advocate for Jamaica, who will?”
Health-Focused Relief from Florida
In South Florida, nurse practitioner Anya Pennycooke, founder of Why Weight Health & Wellness, partnered with Professor André Haughton and The Valley Foundation. Their team delivered food, water, hygiene products, flashlights, fans and disinfectant, and purchased Starlink devices to restore communication.
“Professor Haughton has entrusted personnel to drive in communities without phone service to provide free data connection so the residents can communicate with their friends and family members,” she said.
The team is also preparing for months ahead in terms of repairs and rebuilding. “Our plan is to … help to rebuild important community structures such as schools, churches, and medical facilities.”
Pennycooke is already incorporating health expertise into her relief model.
“We have included healthier food options, basic medical supplies, and hygiene items,” she said. “We plan to incorporate more direct support like basic health assessments, medication checks, and provide education on wound care, sanitation, and disease prevention.”
One aspect she wants to explore is telehealth and medical missions.
“A group of Florida-based nurses and nurse practitioners are eager to serve … so we are currently looking at collaborating with a medical provider or health organisation in Jamaica,” Pennycooke explained.
Meanwhile, Murdock expressed faith in her people.
“The diaspora … always shows up,” she said. “We have always shown up in times of crisis, and I expect that to continue.”