D & G Foundation donates $1m for hurricane relief in south-eastern Clarendon
DESNOES and Geddes (D&G) Foundation has donated $1 million to assist residents of south-eastern Clarendon who were affect by Hurricane Beryl on July 3.
According to the foundation, the contribution will fund the purchase of essential tools and materials needed to rebuild homes severely damaged by the storm.
Pearnel Charles Jr, Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern and minister of labour and social security, emphasised the importance of collective efforts to restore hope and stability to the affected communities during the official handover of the donation on Wednesday.
“My constituency of Clarendon South East was hit intensely by the recent hurricane. The aftermath has left us with extensive damage. Several homes are destroyed, and important structures like churches, schools, and community centres have been flattened or severely impacted.
“Additionally, the two days of rain that followed the hurricane caused extensive flooding, worsening the situation. This means that not only were the homes damaged externally, but their interiors were also severely affected,” said Charles Jr.
He noted that pre-existing infrastructure weaknesses worsened the hurricane’s impact, revealing the vulnerability of many buildings across the constituency and underscored that the construction of numerous houses made them particularly susceptible to damage.
“Partnerships, such as the one with the Desnoes & Geddes Foundation, give us hope that our rebuilding and recovery efforts will be successful. The immediate goal is to provide basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
“Long term, we need to think about restoration, sustainability, and resilience. This includes ensuring that whatever we rebuild can withstand future hurricanes, looking at the design of the space, possible relocation, and restructuring of drains to keep people safer,” added Charles Jr.
Compassionate towards the challenges faced by those affected, Dianne Ashton Smith of the D&G Foundation emphasised that the charity’s donation aims to support people in rebuilding and preparing for future challenges.
“At the Desnoes & Geddes Foundation we believe in the power of collective action to bring about meaningful change. Our donation to south-eastern Clarendon is more than just financial support; it’s a testament to our commitment to rebuilding lives and communities in the face of adversity.
“The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has underscored the urgent need for sustainable recovery efforts. By investing in the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure, we’re not only addressing immediate needs but also fostering long-term resilience. This initial contribution is just the beginning; we plan to continue our support and expand our efforts to assist affected communities in recovering fully and emerging stronger, better prepared for future challenges,” said Ashton Smith.
She noted that the D&G Foundation has committed to making additional donations over the coming weeks to further support and accelerate the recovery efforts across the island.