The eye of category five Hurricane Melissa tore through the parish of Westmoreland on October 25, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation.

Jamaican Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness places the initial estimated cost to the country of US$7 billion, 32 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Similarly to St Elizabeth, Westmoreland bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s passage and now looks like a dystopian wasteland.

Kadeen Mairs, founder and CEO of Dequity Capital, who himself hails from Westmoreland, went down to his home parish last Friday (November 14) to help with the recovery efforts.

Speaking with Our Today, he said much of the parish is in a bad way and needs immediate assistance.

“Everybody can’t do everything simply because there is so much to do. Petersfield, Hartford, Sav-La-Mar, [and] Grange Hill are devastated. The people there need shelter, food and water. It is excellent that so many people are coming to help our people with care packages.

However, what is urgently needed is building materials-plywood, zinc, nails, roofing, lumber, cement.. It is vital that there is shelter over people’s heads,” explained the Dequity Capital boss.

In this regard, he has contributed J$10 million in building materials to his parish but is calling for help for other affected parishes.

“My focus is on single mothers and rebuilding their homes. Whatever contributions can be made by all concerned must be put to good use for the benefit of those beleaguered and made bereft by Hurricane Melissa. One person giving is good, many doing so combined is where the strength is,” said Mairs.

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