Fisherfolk are struggling to survive
Dear Editor,
As a lifelong fisherman from the Rocky Point fishing village in south-east Clarendon, I write to you with a heavy heart.
Hurricane Beryl has left our beloved community in ruins. Our fish pots are lost and our boats now rest at the bottom of the sea, victims of the relentless storm. The place we once called home has been badly wrecked, and our livelihoods are in jeopardy.
We are grateful for the assistance we have received so far. Our Member of Parliament and various agencies have stepped in to provide some relief, but it is not nearly enough to address the vast scale of our needs. Our community, which has always been self-reliant and hard-working, now finds itself in desperate circumstances.
The devastation here is beyond words. With our main source of income destroyed, we are struggling to provide for our families. Our immediate needs are critical. We urgently need clean water, drinking water, food packages, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, and mattresses to ensure our survival and to begin the long road to recovery.
In these trying times, we look to the broader community for support. Every bit of assistance, whether in the form of supplies, financial aid, or volunteer support, will make a significant difference in our lives. We are resilient and determined to rebuild, but we cannot do it alone.
We appeal to the generous hearts of our fellow Jamaicans and the international community to stand with us in our time of need. Your help is not just appreciated — it is essential.
Thank you for your compassion and support.
Wayne Campbell
waynecampbell886@gmail.com