Residents of Frome in Westmoreland are now benefitting from approximately 270 water-purification buckets and other supplies, provided in family emergency kits distributed by Toronto-headquartered relief organisation, GlobalMedic, on November 27.

The assistance comes amid heightened concerns about leptospirosis across the parish, following weeks of flooding and compromised water sources in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

GlobalMedic volunteer Lori Strauss explained that the kits include “a two-bucket, gravity-fed water filtration system” equipped with a ceramic filter to make contaminated water safe for consumption.

“We will teach the recipients how to use the water filtration system. The water passes through the filter and flows into a clean bucket, equipped with a spigot from which they can safely retrieve the purified water,” she explained.

Strauss noted that the system achieves 99.9 per cent removal of bacteria and viruses, making it particularly vital at a time when unsafe water heightens the risk of infection.

She added that the kits also contain solar lights and hygiene items—including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap—which will support families still coping with extended power outages and damaged household supplies.

Strauss said GlobalMedic was pleased to partner with community stakeholders in Frome, noting that the provisions “will make life a little bit simpler for the families that live here.”

Entrepreneur Rosa Young, who engaged GlobalMedic for the initiative and has been leading multiple charitable efforts since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, expressed gratitude for the units provided.

“We are going to be able to send filters into the community for people who do not have a clean source of water. We are actually going to need a lot more, but we will take whatever we can get,” she said.

Young noted that her team has also been distributing vitamins and painkillers to help residents sustain their health during the prolonged recovery period, particularly as waterborne illnesses pose a growing concern.

She added that efforts are underway to secure an AR water unit for the Frome Sugar Factory to further boost community access to clean drinking water.

“Between the stakeholders and the entire Frome Sugar Factory team, they have welcomed us and are open to doing anything to help the community,” Young said

GlobalMedic has been on the ground since shortly after Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28, supporting relief distributions across western Jamaica and working in partnership with World Central Kitchen, Salvation Army, and various church groups.

Young also commended the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Negril Division, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and local volunteers for ensuring smooth operations during the distributions.

GlobalMedic, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, provides humanitarian aid in disaster‑ and conflict‑affected regions worldwide, delivering water filtration, food assistance, and emergency response support.