The JN Group, through JN Money Services Limited and JN Cayman, has established the I Support Jamaica Fund to facilitate donations to help Jamaicans most affected by Hurricane Beryl.

The fund is managed by the JN Foundation, and has the support of the governments of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Contributions will be focused on fuelling the recovery efforts for schools and communal spaces.

Beneficiaries will include government agencies leading the recovery efforts, registered charities, community groups and non-governmental organisations operating in communities most affected by the Hurricane.

Contributions are being accommodated through the JN member companies: JN Cayman, JN Money Services Cayman Limited (t/a JN Money) and JN Bank, which have all waived banking and transaction fees to accommodate donations to the relief fund. Options to donate include local ACH and RTGS bank transfers, international wire transfers and money transfers via JN Money. In-person donations are also accepted at JN Cayman, all JN Money locations in the Cayman Islands and JN Bank in Jamaica.

A working committee, comprising representatives from the governments of the Cayman Islands, Jamaica (GoJ) and the JN Foundation has been established to give oversight to the fund.

Horace Hines, general manager for JN Money Services Limited is encouraging Jamaicans, Caymanians and others in the diaspora and around the globe to support the initiative, noting that it will help significantly with rebuilding lives and restoring hope in affected communities.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the early season hurricane caused extensive damage across several sectors, including some $10.25 billion in damage to the main road network and an estimated financial loss of $4.73 billion to the agriculture sector. The Ministry of Education and Youth also reported that Hurricane Beryl caused $797 million in damage to schools in six of the seven educational regions.

“This is a challenging time for many of our brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours and loved ones in Jamaica and this fund is another opportunity for us to show kindness and support those in need. Our support will help those affected to get back on their feet and return to some level of normalcy. This is a six-month fundraising activity which will run until December 31 and part of the responsibility of the Working Committee will be to identify beneficiaries and make recommendations for disbursement from the fund,” he shared.

An online application portal will also be launched to accommodate applications for funding from other groups. 

“We are committed to helping those affected to rebuild and helping our people get through this difficult time. The level of donations raised through the Fund and information about beneficiaries and impact of donations will also be made public in the interest of transparency,” Mr Hines added.

The I Support Jamaica Fund is in addition to other initiatives being undertaken by the JN Group, through its member companies, in support of Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts. This includes the JN Bank ONE JN Hurricane Loan offers, which have been extended to August 31. JN Money had also temporarily waived fees on money transfers to Jamaica on the eve of the hurricane and for a few days shortly after its passage.

For more information on the I Support Jamaica Fund, persons should visit www.jncayman.com.ky/beryl-recovery/