Early Disaster response
Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica
Hurricane Helene, North Carolina
Hurricane Helene, North Carolina
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Hurricane Helene, North Carolina
Hurricane Helene, North Carolina
Hurricane Helene, North Carolina
Click picture for more information
Hurricane melissa response in Jamaica
Our Mission
We set out from Negril to reach Black River where the eye of Melissa passed leaving unimaginable destruction in its wake. Along the way, we stopped to deliver filters wherever people were congregating including: Villages where neighbors were helping to rebuild homes, at food distribution centers, and beside rivers and streams where people were bathing and washing clothes. During our 2 trips, encompassing 10 days in Jamaica, we stopped in 8 communities and delivered 300 water filters to people in need.
Humanitarian aid from around the world
Since growing up in Jamaica during the early 70’s, one thing that has not changed is the resilience of Jamaicans. People came together every place we went to help each other rebuild. The international community also showed up in force to help in every way they could from rebuilding infrastructure and homes to feeding and providing clean drinking water to those who lost everything.
Belizean and Canadian line men are going out every morning to restore power on the island and returning well after dark. One morning they helped us assembly our water filter kits before setting out for the day.
Belizean and Canadian Line men.
Connections are everything when responding to disasters.
Randy Smith was introduced to me by a friend from college who lived in Negril for many years. Randy, who runs a taxi and tour service, has many local connections and could get us into places that we would have never been able to access without him. After 10 days working side by side with Randy, we can attest that he is one of the finest people that we have ever met. Kind, generous, reliable and always with a genuine smile, without him, we would have not have reached people who most needed the filters. Even more impressive than his driving, he jumped right in and helped us assemble the filter systems and trained people how to use them. In total, 300 water filters were delivered to 8 of the hardest hit communities.
Delivered 300 filters in 8 different communities From Negril to Black River.
Hurricane Helene early response
What America is known for was on full display.
As first time early responders, it quickly became clear that local humanitarian aid organizations are a great way to find the most dire locations needing immediate support for the bare necessities….food, water, and shelter.
It was simply overwhelming to see people from the affected communities, volunteers arriving from all corners of the United States, and humanitarian organizations and community centers all coming together for one single purpose….to help people in need. There was no discussion of political party affiliation, religious beliefs, or whether someone was an immigrant or a citizen. Everybody worked together to help everyone in need. This is the America that I know. When people need help, Americans are there for them, both here in the United States and in the rest of the world.
Big Ivy Community Center in Barnardsville, NC
Vital local humanitarian organizations
This is our first time as early responders to a natural disaster. Initially, trying to find out where the hardest hit areas were located was a challenge; however, we managed to hook up with Elizabeth Porter, a local humanitarian organizer with www.humanitariantraining.org Elizabeth guided us to some of the hardest hit areas including, Barnardsville, Fairview and Canton….exactly where we needed to be. 700 Waterfilters are enroute from Florida. They are being hand delivered and expected to be in Asheville, NC tomorrow morning. Our dear friend Linda who is keeping our dog Sanuk had no power and electricity last week in Tryon, NC. She said if she had to choose between the two. She would pick water.
Phase 1: Immediate relief for those in need.
Phase 1 of Care4oneAnother Helene Relief effort is winding down. We had great collaboration with Waves For Water Clean Water Corp, to deliver Sawyer Faucet and Bucket filters to people in Canton, Fairview and Barnardsville North Carolina. In an heroic effort, Janiece Marquez (Waves for Water) drove 700 filters from St. Petersburg Florida during the evacuation of Hurricane Milton to get the filters to Asheville in time. Other Waves for Water members came as far away as North Dakota and Texas to support.
professionals and Volunteers willing to deliver filters to those in need.
