Food for The Poor providing flood relief

Food for The Poor (FFTP), operating in partnership with disaster relief agencies, has been bringing much-needed relief to residents and business owners of St Mary and Portland who were affected by recent heavy rains which caused flood damage.

FFTP has donated 12 two-burner stoves, 100 food packages, 100 care packages, including blankets, 250 water purification tablets, and 12 shovels to support flood victims in three St Mary communities, Pagee, Jack's River and Frontier. The organisation also participated in the filed assessments and data collection in the affected areas, and supported the relief agencies in the movement and distribution of relief items.

Nakhle Hado, FFTP's agriculture and fishing manager, said the organisation believes it is imperative to step up and mobilise resources to assist and support fellow Jamaicans at a critical time. Hado said that the organisation will also be following up on the outstanding needs within the affected communities, and will be considering the provision of homes, where applicable, for persons who have suffered total loss.

Homes, businesses and schools in both parishes suffered heavy damage from the rains, with schools forced to close, students evacuated through the emergency services, and business owners forced to dump damaged goods. Flooding and landslides also adversely impacted livestock, and caused significant damage to crops as well as vital roadways. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.