In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact across Jamaica, FYI Consultancy  Group has launched a dedicated Trelawny Hurricane Relief Effort, partnering with friends and corporate supporters to bring hope, supplies, and essential services to some of the hardest-hit communities in the western end of the island.  

Among the key partners supporting this mission were JN Foundation, Automotive Art Jamaica, Renegade Digital Agency, Purity Bakery, Pure Water, Digicel Foundation, Hyundai Jamaica, St  John’s Ambulance and Funland Jamaica, alongside countless individuals from the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States and England. 

On Wednesday, one week after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the FYI Relief Team, which included Reggae Boyz legend Ian Pepe Goodison, established its main base at William Knibb Memorial High School in Martha Brae, serving as a central distribution and medical aid point for the relief efforts for North Trelawny. Over 400 care packages were distributed on location, containing food items, toiletries, and essential supplies, alongside portable power chargers from Roklan Power, Wi-Fi connectivity, and medical assistance to ensure residents could reach loved ones and receive urgent support.  

Communities including Zion, Granville, and Falmouth were the main beneficiaries of the centre,  with many displaced residents seeking refuge at the school after losing their homes. The Jamaica  Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were on-site to assist in maintaining order and ensuring a safe and coordinated operation.  

During setup, the team’s medical volunteers were called into immediate action, treating both an adult and a child who had sought emergency assistance. The child had walked to the centre in search of food, while the adult had been sheltering in place. Both received timely medical care from the on-site team.  

With the team set up on location, a secondary team headed by FYI Managing Director Paula  Pinnock, escorted by the JCF, travelled to Reserve, Sherwood, and Perth Town, where they continued to distribute care packages, provide mobile internet access courtesy of Hyundai, and render medical aid. The response was overwhelming, especially among elderly residents, one of whom received oxygen treatment at home. 

After closing the relief centre at 3:30 pm, the team proceeded to Salt Marsh, New Town, and the remote community of Johnson Hill, navigating difficult terrain to reach residents isolated by the storm. The devastation was severe: livestock losses, collapsed homes, and the scent of decay filling the air, yet the people of Johnson Hill met the team with gratitude and resilience. Medical aid was again rendered, including to an elderly man known as “Sunny”, who the onsite medical team advised required urgent medical intervention, and his case has been escalated.  

The day concluded with a medical supply delivery to the Falmouth Hospital. The team also provided donations to the Trelawny Infirmary and the delivery of clothing to flood-affected residents in Catherine Hall, St James.  

“It’s easy to complain but harder to make the decision to help,” said Pinnock. “I’m proud that our team, friends, and partners came together to turn compassion into action. We chose to focus on Trelawny because we believe real change happens when you commit deeply, not just dropping off supplies, which is important, but building relationships, understanding the real needs of the  people, and working alongside them to rebuild lives, one Jamaican at a time.”  

The FYI and Friends Trelawny Hurricane Relief Team will continue its efforts in South Trelawny, expanding its outreach to additional rural communities while assessing long-term recovery and rebuilding needs in partnership with local and corporate stakeholders.