SENS. ANWAR, GASTON, MCCRORY LEAD CALL FOR JAMAICA, CARIBBEAN DISASTER RELIEF FOLLOWING HURRICANE MELISSA

Today, State Senators Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) and Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) and State Representatives Joshua Hall (D-Hartford) and Henry Genga (D-East Hartford) led a call among dozens of advocates and community organizers for the public to contribute what they can to Jamaica and the Caribbean following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in late October.

Making landfall as a Category 5 hurricane and considered the strongest hurricane to ever hit the Caribbean, Hurricane Melissa killed dozens, displaced thousands and caused extensive damage to the nations it impacted. More than a week after its initial impact, survivors are struggling with injury, illness, loss of property and belongings and extensive damage to infrastructure.

Connecticut organizations including the West Indian Foundation and West Indian Social Club of Hartford are coordinating extensive relief efforts, seeking to raise monetary and physical donations to send to the islands in need. The Nutmeg State has the third-largest West Indian population in the United States.

The West Indian Foundation and West Indian Social Club are taking online financial donations and are seeking in-person donations that are accepted at a number of regional businesses, churches and organizations, said Marva Douglas, president of Taste the Caribbean Arts and Culture, Inc. and former president of the West Indian Social Club. A list of sought donations and drop-off locations will be available at the end of this release.

“We are seeking donations from organizations and in the process of partnering with organizations, schools and hospitals for a coordinated effort,” said Dr. Jackie Evans Phillips, President of the West Indian Foundation. “Our theme is reflect, rebuild and rise, and while this is going to be a year-long process, we also want to discuss the mental wellness and spiritual healing of our family members. We must work collaboratively, including shipping items together, and we must work collectively through this process. The need is grand and there’s much more we can do collectively.”

“The beautiful lands of Jamaica and the Caribbean islands face complete devastation in the face of a Category 5 hurricane. 30% of the GDP of Jamaica is lost and its infrastructure is gone,” said Sen. Anwar. “Our brothers and sisters who are Jamaican, Haitian, Cuban and Dominican are working hard to help their loved ones, but their hearts and minds are with their loved ones in their countries of origin. When you are not affected by a disaster, your responsibility is to act. Today, our hope is to raise awareness and tell everyone we have a collective responsibility to help those in need. We are uniting with one voice: we must help those who are in the most need.”

“We are united here out of concern and worry for loved ones on the islands of the Caribbean,” said Sen. McCrory. “We are committed to making sure we get the resources necessary to our brethren in the Caribbean. This storm completely devastated the islands, and it’s our responsibility – with all of these united organizations – to do whatever we can to make sure our brothers and sisters are safe. We’re going to do everything possible and use every tool in our toolbox to help.”

“There are Jamaicans everywhere in the United States of America and they contribute a lot all across our nation. We have a fiduciary and moral obligation to look out as global citizens,” said Sen. Gaston. “Jamaica needs us, and we need to turn to them. Despite the winds and rain, the people of Jamaica will rise back up. The storm may have devastated the streets, but it has not taken away the faith that Jamaica will overcome this storm.”

Rep. Hall noted his wife and her family are from Jamaica, and as an assistant principal at Weaver High School in Hartford, many students are from Jamaica and the West Indies.