London’s Jamaican community is mobilizing support in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that caused widespread destruction across the island Tuesday.
One group in London is coming together to host a concert to raise funds for relief efforts on the island, while others organize a donation drive to collect day-to-day essentials for those in need.
“To see others reach out, come in and say ‘let’s put this collective together,’ shows unity at a time when it’s needed,” said Colin Caleb, the executive director at London Afrocentric Arts Association (LACA).
Hurricane Melissa is the strongest on record to hit Jamaica. Landslides, fallen trees and power outages were reported as it came ashore with 295 km/h winds, with officials cautioning that the cleanup and damage assessment could be slow.
LACA is organizing the Jamaica Relief Fund 25 concert in an effort to raise $50,000 for the Black Rover Hospital in St. Elizabeth. The hospital has been devastated by the storm, according to Caleb, who is from nearby Manchester. The ticket proceeds will go directly to that relief effort, he said.
Performances are slated to include Juno Award-winner Errol Blackwood, Juno-nominated King Cruff, a London native and grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley, as well as London reggae artist V. Merchant.
Colin Caleb is the executive director of the London Afrocentric Arts Association, one of the organizers of the charity concert on December 6. (Submitted by Colin Caleb)
“It’s just going to be a great night of reggae music,” Caleb said.
The concert is happening on December 6 at the Maple Sports and Rec Banquet Hall on Adelaide Street.
Local businesses collecting donations
In other efforts, businesses and organizations across London are working together to gather essentials for those affected by the storm.
The Jamaicans in London Ontario Association is running the Hurricane Relief drive in partnership with Food for the Poor, an international nonprofit which will handle the shipping and distribution.
The Irie Market, a Caribbean grocery store on Kipps Lane, is among businesses collecting donations.
Owner Tashara Williams is Jamaican-Canadian and has family in the Montego Bay area. Seeing news online of people with no food or power motivated Williams to get involved, she said.
Donations can also be dropped off at the W.E.A.N. Community Centre on Dundas Street and soon, Up like 7 Barber Shop on Clarke Road. There is no deadline, Williams said, as the barrels can be shipped as they fill up.
Here is the list of of items they are hoping for:
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
- Hygiene products and toiletries
- Diapers and baby supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Blankets, sheets and towels
- Gloves
Restoring lives and dignity
London is home to a large Jamaican community, estimated to be around 2,000 to 3,000, according to Omar Smith, the president of the Jamaicans in London group.
“People are scared, believe me,” Smith said. “Most people who are born and lived on the island have some history with hurricanes, but this one is nothing that we have ever even slightly dreamt of. This is catastrophic.”
The goal of the concert is to raise $50,000 for the Black Rover Hospital, which has been devastated by the storm. (Submitted by Colin Caleb)
Like many of those community members, Smith has family and loved ones on the island and has struggled to contact them as about 70 per cent of the island faces power outages, he explained.
Smith is imploring the wider London community to donate what they can and to see how else they can help out, he said, adding that he believes true humanity comes out in crisis and disaster.
“This is helping to restore lives, to restore dignity of people,” he said. “And we know Canadians sit on top of the world when it comes to compassion and humanity.”
Along with Jamaica, the storm has swept across Cuba and Haiti, where 25 people were killed in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goave, according to local officials.
