Utility companies unite to assist St Elizabeth residents
The charity arms of three of the island’s utility companies joined with Food For the Poor to give back to residents of St Elizabeth recently.
Digicel Foundation, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation and Flow Foundation, distributed care packages containing nonperishable food items and water, and tarpaulins to persons in Parottee, Slipe and Crawford, among other areas. St Elizabeth was one of the parishes hardest hit by the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, causing severe structural and agricultural damage. Pia Baker, senior vice president of customer experience and commercial at JPS, said that having witnessed the devastation caused by the hurricane in southern Jamaica, the entities were inspired to join hands to help those in need.
“We didn’t have to wait until we were bringing power to bring some kind of relief or restoration efforts to the residents of St Elizabeth,” she said, adding that support will be extended to residents in other parishes. She noted that while power restoration in ongoing “today is really meant [for helping people] to meet their day-to-day needs”.
“We are working with some communities that we are already very familiar with based on work that we have done in those
areas,” she said. Chairperson of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clarke, underscored the organisation’s commitment to helping those in need.
“This is what today is all about, giving support to persons who are affected,” she said. Digicel and Flow also facilitated the charging of devices at the Black River High School.
Resident of Parottee, Advira
Bennett, told JIS News that she was grateful for the assistance being rendered. She said the experience of Hurricane Beryl was “frightening”.
“It was terrible, the breeze and the rain. My roof lifted and I have to use canvas and other things [as cover]. The hurricane was a terrible one. I was so frightened. Right now, I need a water drum because I have no water. I lost a lot.” she said.