Ottawa residents with family members in hard-hit Jamaica are getting first-hand accounts of what it was like when Hurricane Melissa slammed into the island nation on Tuesday. “They’re safe but the roof ripped off of their house and then they had to run and take shelter elsewhere during the eye of the storm. So, you know, they’re really grateful that they’re alive,” said Elizabeth Venditti, a dual citizen with family in Jamaica. Venditti says a few of her cousins were visiting her family in Jamaica when the Category 5 storm hit and she says the Canadian government should do more to help those who are stranded. “They updated the natural disaster and climate section of their travel advisory; that’s not what people want to hear when they’re stranded. They want to hear what help that they’ll get to get back home,” Venditti said. Global Affairs Canada says it is closely monitoring Hurricane Melissa and the Canadian government is advising against all travel to Jamaica and parts of Cuba. Global Affairs Canada says consular assistance is available to those who need it and that Canadians should check with their airline regarding the status of their flights. Canadian citizens in the region requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the department’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre: Elaine Ebanks grew up in St. Elizabeth Parish, one of the hardest hit areas. “St. Elizabeth is also known as the breadbasket of the island so most of the vegetation, that is where it’s from. So the people of St. Elizabeth, their livelihood is completely wiped out,” Ebanks said, adding that “the sense of helplessness is overwhelming.” “It’s time to buckle down and see how we could support the recovery,” said Bishop R.J. McEwan whose cousin was visiting Mandeville in Jamaica. “He tried to drive to see some other friends in Negril, which is further west in Jamaica, but on the way there to support those individuals who lost their roof and severe flooding, they got stuck within some flooded area so they had to turn back.” Ottawa’s Jamaican community is now focusing on how they can help those impacted. “The Jamaican people are resilient and I know they will build back from this,” said Ebanks. “It may be hard, it may take them years, but I know we can do it.”
