A CRY FOR HELP

A week after Hurricane Melissa ripped through western Jamaica, residents of Retrieve district say they have been left to fend for themselves amid mounting hardship and despair. In a heartfelt letter to this newspaper, community members are pleading for urgent help from the public and private sectors as they fight to recover from the devastation.

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We, the residents of Retrieve district in St Elizabeth South West are urgently seeking assistance from the public and any organizations willing to help.

In the wake of the recent disaster, our community has suffered significant damage. Many homes have lost rooftops, farms and livestock have been destroyed, and several families are now struggling to access basic necessities.

Thankfully, no lives have been lost, and for that, we give thanks to God. However, the situation remains critical.

At this time, we have not received any support or response from government representatives, and it feels as though our community has been left on its own.

We are, therefore, appealing to the public, private sector, and charitable organisations for donations of care packages, essential household items, food supplies, and medications, especially for our elderly residents who are unable to attend their regular medical checkups.

Our main access road has been severely damaged, and travel has become extremely difficult. The Good Hope district road now serves as our alternate route, however, transportation costs are high. Residents are paying approximately $1,500 per person to reach Santa Cruz, often relying on motorcycles due to the poor road conditions.

We are a resilient and hardworking community, but at this time, we need help. Any assistance, big or small, will make a meaningful difference in helping us rebuild and care for those most in need.

Resident

Retrieve district

St Elizabeth