The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change is urging Canadians to donate to a newly launched emergency fund to help Jamaican farmworkers rebuild after Hurricane Melissa — the most powerful storm to ever hit the island.
Donations can be made at migrantworkersalliance.org/hurricane-emergency. As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised about $1,800, just $1,400 short of its $3,200 goal.
The hurricane has devastated homes, cut off communications and left many workers, including those in Niagara-on-the-Lake, unable to reach their loved ones at home, says Kit Andres, an organizer with the alliance.
Andres said over the past week, they have been in touch with about 100 workers from devastated areas through the alliance’s WhatsApp helpline and farm visits across Niagara and Norfolk.
“Many of them are facing homelessness when they return,” they said. “I’m getting texts and voice notes from workers saying, you know, I’ve lost everything — house gone, church gone, everything gone.”
The fundraiser offers direct, barrier-free cash aid to cover emergency food, medication, home repairs and transportation from the airport in Jamaica.
“We know it’s going to take years to rebuild, but the hope is that this fund will offer a little bit of a boost of support — and send a clear message that our farmworker neighbours are not alone.”
“And we, here in Canada, have their backs. 100 per cent,” Andres added.
About 10,000 Jamaicans come to Canada, each year, to work in the agri-food sector — many from regions hardest hit by the hurricane.
“These are neighbours, who have been valued residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake for decades,” they said.
“So, it’s really encouraging to see all the ways that the community has been coming together, to offer support during this crisis.”
Andres said small donations make a difference too: “$10 can buy 10 packets of chicken noodle soup mix, $60 can buy large zinc roofing for home repair — and if everybody gives a little bit, it can go such a long way to supporting the people who feed us.”
“I encourage everyone to contribute what they can.”
