Bridgetown, Barbados – The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) continues to mobilize regional private sector support for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
One CPSO member, Caribbean Sugar Refinery, a growing Caribbean company with operations in Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, has stepped forward to leverage its established logistical network between Belize and Jamaica to facilitate the free transport of essential aid. This facilitation of logistics spurred an immediate and generous response from Belizean and other regional businesses.
Coordinated by Caribbean Sugar Refinery and supported by the Consulate of Jamaica in Belize, the initiative drew contributions from several organizations such as Mennonite Aid for Central America (MACA), Mirab Group, National Aggregates Ltd, Caribbean Paper Company Limited, Fabrigas Belize Limited, Vista Real Estate Limited, McNab Strategies, Island Magic Belize, Westrac Limited, and Mr. Darrell Smith. Together, these partners exemplified the strength of regional unity, underscoring the enduring bonds of solidarity and shared responsibility that define the Caribbean Community, especially in times of crisis.
As a result of their contributions, a 40-foot container carrying 22 tons of essential household staples including bottled water, toilet paper, corn, beans, rice, flour, and baking powder has been assembled. The shipment is expected to support approximately 25,000 meals and provide vital hygiene supplies to communities most affected by the hurricane.
Commenting on the strong stakeholder response, Ambassador Daniel Gutierez, of Caribbean Sugar Refinery, stated: “As members of one Caribbean family, we must stand together in moments of adversity. Following this initial dispatch, we will continue engaging regional businesses to explore additional aid. Jamaica needs us now, and we are proud to contribute. We also extend our gratitude to the logistical partners in Belize and Jamaica whose support made this relief effort possible.”
Commending the initiative, Dr. Patrick Antoine, CEO and Technical Director of the CPSO said: “This is Caribbean cooperation at its best. The CPSO is proud of the response by the regional private sector in support of relief efforts and the response from our partners in Belize. Acts like these reinforce our shared commitment to regional resilience, solidarity, and recovery.”
The shipment is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica next week, where local partners will coordinate distribution to communities in need.