Jamaica: Cayman Islands extend Helping Hand, donating US $200K to boost Hurricane Beryl Recovery

Jamaica: A donation of US $200,000 and medical supplies from the Cayman Islands was initiated, which will be a big boost to the efforts of the Jamaican government in the restoration of normality after the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl.

The cheque was handed over on Thursday, July 18, to Prime Minister Andrew Holness by Cayman Islands Premier Julianna O’Connor-Connolly. She led a delegation from neighboring dominion, which was to pay an official visit to the island.

“On behalf of the people of Jamaica, we say thanks to our brothers and sisters and indeed our family in Cayman for this contribution. This is not a small contribution, it is significant, and we appreciate it,” PM Holness said.

The Prime Minister made the statement when he was responding to a gesture by the government and people of the Cayman Islands during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The donated funds will go toward assisting those affected severely by the hurricane, ensured PM Holness. “This will go into our Disaster Preparedness Fund, which is essentially managed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which will be distributing according to need,” he assured.

In her address, Prime Minister O’Connor-Connolly mentioned the intimate friendship between both countries. “Jamaica means so many connections for us. A woman of faith, I wish to extend my arms in leadership, neighborliness, and brotherhood. I was especially happy to learn that your ports were pretty much up and going, and your airports, because you will rise again. So, it is an honor and a distinct privilege to give this small token,” she said.

For her part, the Premier O’Connor-Connolly also said that her country would be more than happy to lend a helping hand in resolving the said transmission issues, providing full restoration of utility services to the most heavily affected areas.

The Cayman Islands delegation also traveled to some of the hardest-hit areas along Jamaica’s south coast, battered by heavy rains and gale-force winds where the damage was significant in terms of infrastructure and agriculture sector loss. This is testimony to the deep intertwining and coexistence that characterizes mutual support between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in times of need.