The effort of Virgin Islanders to help the people of Jamaica recover from the damage wrought by Hurricane Melissa appeared to be gaining support one week after the massive storm made landfall.
From Miami on Tuesday, a St. Thomas tow truck operator who joined the response after the storm passed described the task of gathering resources to increase the flow of help coming from this U.S. territory.
Now, more than a week since disaster struck, more Virgin Islanders are offering support. A post on social media announced a donation drive at Barefoot Buddha — a Havensight eatery — that would be added to efforts sponsored by a regional tourism group.
Support is also mounting for a mission mounted by two V.I. residents — Jose Trotman and Chris Watson. The pair joined forces with the Jamaica Defense Force to perform emergency extractions from areas that suffered devastation from the storm over the course of five days. “I was willing to help the community, our own community and others,” Trotman said.
Teammate Watson reached out to the Source after his initial interview on Monday to commend Trotman for his service as logistics director in the current effort.
The team returned to Florida on Monday as safety concerns mounted and supplies dwindled. From Ft. Lauderdale, Watson sought ways to return to the disaster zone while Trotman in Miami reached out for donations of medical supplies. Both V.I. volunteers described the scene on the ground in Jamaica as disorganized and chaotic. “I’m still here in Florida trying to get some more crew so we can head back down,” Trotman said.
That appeal, he said, reached several home-based first responders who said they were willing to join the mission. Trotman said he also heard from one of St. Thomas’ Rotary Clubs, asking how they could help.
“I heard from someone this morning from the Rotary Club on St. Thomas. They are willing to donate some money — I think it’s toward medical supplies; that’s a big need in Jamaica right now,” he said.
Tuesday also brought word from Watson, offering signs that the response in the disaster zone was getting better organized. On the first attempt, the V.I. team worked alongside regular military forces where medical evacuations were just a part of their wider mission.
“I got a report from Chris today … he’s working directly with the (Jamaica Defense Force) health director, Miss Gail Edwards,” Trotman said. Over the next several hours, Trotman said, he could better determine what other resources were needed before the next leg of medevac response support could begin.
Meanwhile, other V.I.-based relief efforts appear to be taking shape. From the office of Delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett issued a statement of solidarity.
“Throughout this crisis, I have kept Virgin Islanders informed about the storm’s impact on Jamaica, where many of our constituents have family and deep ties. As One Caribbean, we will stand with these communities as they rebuild,” Plaskett said.
Inquiries posed to Government House about any efforts toward Jamaica disaster relief they may know of have, so far, gone unanswered.