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2007 Hurricane Dean-August 2005 2004
JAMAICAN COMMUNITIES SUFFER DAMAGE AFTER HURRICANE DEAN - August 21, 2007 Less than two days after the storm, stories of the aftermath of Hurricane Dean in Jamaica are now filtering to Canada. Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) has been able to contact all six of its Jamaican partner organizations. Although Jamaica is accustomed to hurricanes, those that are most affected continue to be the poor. Two of the inner-city communities that are supported by JSH have been particularly hard-hit. “About 40% of the houses in our community have been damaged,” stated Angela Stultz, Director of S-Corner Clinic. “Roofs have been blown away and there has been flooding. One of our micro-enterprise projects, a chicken farm, has lost all its feed and 150 young chickens. A number of shop-keepers in the area have also suffered a loss of all their inventory.” Overnight, almost 40 people stayed in the tiny clinic and community school to keep safe from the storm. Most importantly, Stultz noted it’s “water… water we need – there is no clean water in our community and we will have to pay to have water trucked in twice a day for the residents.” “These are very poor communities with poor infrastructure, and they are often overlooked by the government and other agencies,” noted JSH Executive Director Marisa Kaczmarczyk. “They are also very volatile communities; in the past, government workers and others have refused to enter the area, creating even greater hardship for families there.” In Hannah Town, another inner-city Kingston neighbourhood, the primary school was safe but the surrounding community sustained substantial damage from wind and rain. “We are hoping for lights by the end of the week,” remarked Estella Forrester, Principal of St. Anne’s Primary School. Other communities supported by JSH did not suffer as extensively, but everywhere people are coping with water damage, and lack of food, water, and electricity. On the north coast, the co-ordinator of the Annotto Bay Literacy Project, Stacy Wilson reported that the crops in the area, from small farmers’ fields to the banana plantations, were heavily damaged. “We will feel the effects of the storm two months from now when people don’t have food or produce for market.” Jamaican Self-Help is sending $5,000 from its Jamaican reserve fund immediately to assist with emergency needs and hurricane reconstruction efforts. Financial donations from the public can be made by calling 743-1671.
NATIONAL MAKE POVERTY HISTORY (MPH) CAMPAIGN The national MPH Campaign is based upon four platforms. These include: 1. End Child Poverty in Canada-Many children in Canada live in absolute poverty. MPH is asking that the Canadian Government to look at not only international poverty but also national poverty, and look for ways for eradication. 2. Cancel the Debt-The MPH Campaign is asking for developed nations to cancel the debt that the many developing nations owe to them. This would help increase the owing nations’ GNI since they would not have to continue using their money to pay off their debts instead of using it for social programs. 3. More and Better Aid-MPH is asking for the G8 to reach their promised 0.7% of their GNI. They are also asking for the aid that is being given to developing nations be more accountable and responsible. 4. Trade Justice-The MPH Campaign is advocating for free trade to campaign against the many unjust practices of developed nations. By having free trade agreements, developing nations will be able to attain a higher GDP and national prosperity. Jamaican Self-Help’s Make Poverty History Committee is based on the national campaign, but at a grassroots level.Jamaican Self-Help’s Make Poverty History Youth Action CommitteeThe Make Poverty History Committee is a youth driven committee that promotes awareness on poverty related issues. The MPH Committee was formed in August 2005, and has done many interesting activities and events. Last year we organized an all candidates’ debate during the federal election at PCVS, went to Ottawa to meet MP’s concerning poverty issues and organized a community concert with the Jamaican Children’s Choir Tour. This committee was designed for students to come together, share ideas and organize many activities to educate the community on poverty related issues. So far there are six students that have been actively involved in the MPH Committee. Four of these students travelled to Ottawa for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Cooperation Days and the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) MP Meeting Days. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to see first hand how NGO’s work together with Parliament on the issues of poverty and international development concerns. After this trip, we were asked by our MP, Mr. Dean Del Mastro, who we met with while in Ottawa, to put together a report/survey of what people in Peterborough think about poverty, both on a local level and a international level. He then asked us to present this to City Council. Once that process is done, he will then take the report/survey and present it to a variety of Ministers on Parliament Hill, including the Finance Minister. This is a huge accomplishment for the MPH Committee, it is showing the community and government that youth can have a “visible voice” in the politics and poverty related issues. The MPH Committee convenes on a bi-weekly basis to discuss ideas, plan upcoming events and mobilize. If you are interesting in joining the committee, please contact the Julia Anderson at the JSH office at 743-1671.
UPDATE ON JAMAICA - AFTER HURRICANE IVAN - October 4, 2004 General:
COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES GENEROSITY TO JAMAICAN HURRICANE VICTIMS Exactly two weeks after Jamaican Self-Help sent out an urgent appeal for help, almost $20,000 has been raised so far for Hurricane Relief in Jamaica. Over 70% of these funds have come from residents of the Peterborough area. "While we are not surprised by the generosity, it certainly re-confirms the caring nature of our community, even towards people who live thousands of kilometres from here," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Jamaican Self-Help Executive Director. The appeal was sent out immediately after the hurricane, when Jamaican Self-Help was still unable to contact its Jamaican partners directly. Since that time, JSH has received news both from official sources in Jamaica, as well as from the communities supported by the organization. The effects of Hurricane Ivan were felt across Jamaica. There was widespread flooding resulting in structural damage to housing and destruction of personal property. Roads were significantly impacted with 252 major roads blocked by mud slides and downed power lines. The agricultural sector was hit hard, wiping out banana and coffee plantations and inundating sugar cane farms. The biggest immediate concern across the island was lack of access to clean water. According to a report from the Canadian International Development Agency in Jamaica, after approximately one week, electricity and water were restored to some areas of the island, including parts of the City of Kingston. The Jamaica Public Service estimated that the rest of the island could see their electricity restored by mid-October. Eighty percent of Jamaica's 1,000 water pumping stations were ready for use, though they rely on electricity to function. All the projects closely supported by JSH were affected. For example, the inner-city community of Bennet Lands has suffered from an accumulation of garbage, water inaccessibility and related health concerns. The roof of the clinic supported by JSH was destroyed. In other communities, the roofs of schools and training centres were also damaged and the buildings flooded. People in all six of the communities supported by JSH suffered from similar situations: loss of basic household goods from flooding, damaged housing, lack of water and food. "Jamaicans living in poverty struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. We can just imagine how difficult it is for them, if flood waters have destroyed or washed away mattresses or clothing, or winds have damaged roofs in the middle of the rainy season. Children must have uniforms to attend school, so buying new shoes, uniforms, books and stationary will be an extreme hardship for those families who have so little in the first place," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk. "In Peterborough, we saw how garbage can accumulate after a flood. The health concerns of garbage build-up, particularly in a tropical climate, and with no clean water access, are significant." Funds collected through Jamaican Self Help have been allocated to providing household goods and building supplies, removing garbage, and educating communities on immediate health issues such as boiling water. Donations have also gone towards providing a Breakfast Programme for children without access to adequate food. Farmers in a small community on the north coast will receive help to purchase new seedlings and fertilizer. "On behalf of Jamaican Self-Help, and the people of Jamaica, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their concern and generosity. Every dollar will make a big difference to helping Jamaicans to re-build."
Situational Analysis - Hurricane Ivan
Response by GOJ and Other Agencies
Needs Assessment
Costs
PETERBOROUGH AGENCY RESPONDS TO HURRICANE'S DEVASTATING IMPACT SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 Jamaican Self-Help, a Peterborough-based international development agency, is jumping into action to assist the Jamaican people who have been devastated by Hurricane Ivan this weekend. Jamaican Self-Help has supported communities in Kingston and on the north coast of the island for almost 25 years. This connection has led to close personal and organizational ties to many people living in the most marginalized circumstances. "We have many friends and colleagues that live and work in the poor communities of Kingston and Annotto Bay. We are very concerned with their welfare, as they will likely have taken the brunt of the destruction" states Marisa Kaczmarczyk, JSH Executive Director. While JSH has not been able to contact their partners in Jamaica because of loss of telephone lines, the organization knows that the devastation can be severe. "The communities we support are not equipped to deal with this type of relentless weather system. Homes are constructed out of zinc (corrugated metal) walls and roofs that can become extremely dangerous if winds blow them through a community. Many poor communities are situated very close to the "gullies" for water run-off and these can easily overflow and wash away buildings in their path. On the north coast, many homes are located in precarious shoreline or hillside locations. We are extremely concerned with the safety of the people in these communities," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk. After immediate basic needs are addressed, Jamaican Self-Help will be looking to assist communities to rebuild in the long-term. "Jamaican Self-Help has strong connections to Jamaican organizations on the ground and we will work through them to assist the communities in need. The needs will be great, and will not go away any time soon, " said Board member Nancy Chesher, "JSH has had a long history of working with Jamaicans to improve their situations and we intend to continue that support." JSH will activate its many supporters in the Peterborough community and across the country to address this huge need. The organization welcomes financial donations from the community. Donations can be made at the JSH office (129 ½ Hunter Street) between 9 and 3 on weekdays, at the Peterborough Community Credit Union (Brock St) or online through CanadaHelps at www.jshcanada.org. For more information, please contact Marisa Kaczmarczyk at (705) 743-1671. |