Join the Mission: Volunteer corps and material support
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the people of Jamaica face a humanitarian crisis. Too many lives have been lost, thousands are displaced, and critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and homes lies in ruins. This represents $8.8 billion in physical damage, the equivalent of 41% of the country’s 2024 gross domestic product.
The need for help is urgent.
This is not an overnight fix. Today, we invite labour to stand with our community partners, including the Toronto Community Benefits Network (a partner organization of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council), to develop a strategy to bring aid and help rebuild not just Jamaica, but also the other Islands impacted by this force of nature.
As allies in labour, our goal is to raise $100,000.00 towards this effort. (see information below on how and where to donate).
How to help:
As unions/locals: follow this link here for sample text for motions to pass at Executive Boards.
As individuals: donate directly to TCBN at the link here. Sign up to volunteer at the link here.
WAYS TO DONATE:
Interac e-Transfer
Etransfer payment to the Labour Council at: [email protected] via online banking. Include your union and write “Hurricane Melissa Relief” in the memo field.
OR
Etransfer payment to TCBN at: [email protected] via online banking
Include your full name and address (required for charitable receipt), contact number and charitable designation (TCBN Jamaica Relief Efforts)
Every contribution, financial, material, or skilled labour, helps families rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Donate, volunteer, or contribute today. Let’s show the power of solidarity in action.
Our impact and objectives
We are working with National Workers Union (NWU) and Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), two local trade unions, on the ground in Jamaica.
A major barrier to rapid recovery is the shortage of workers trained specifically in disaster-resilient construction methods, safe demolition, rapid-response rebuilding, and climate-resilient infrastructure design. This initiative seeks to build a sustainable, deployable volunteer corps – a workforce capable of supporting disaster response missions and long-term resilience planning, both within the Caribbean and among diaspora skilled workers in Canada.
While we need donations of supplies, and funding, we also need boots on the ground. Join our efforts to organize a REBUILD MISSION where skilled construction workers from our network will volunteer to rebuild homes and essential infrastructure, like hospital, school or community centre. As a first step, planning is underway with the Jamaica Consulate here in Toronto and several skilled construction trades leaders, who will be visiting the site to conduct assessments this December and returning with a plan.
OBJECTIVES:
- Train workers in disaster-recovery construction standards, including hurricane-resistant building techniques, safe debris removal, and structural assessments.
- Create a talent pool of certified workers who can be deployed quickly following disasters.
- Strengthen community resilience through local capacity-building and knowledge transfer.
- Establish partnerships between unions, training centres, governments, and NGOs to coordinate recovery missions.
- Promote climate-resilient building standards aligned with modern codes and sustainable materials.
