Royal Ethiopian Trust donates US$5,000 to Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa recovery

The Royal Ethiopian Trust has donated US$5,000 to support Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

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Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister Olivia Grange made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (December 3) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, where she read a letter from Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie — grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie — addressed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“I would like to express my deepest condolence for the tragedy brought to Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa. The loss of life and the damage to Jamaica’s infrastructure brings sadness and raises challenges. I know that while you mourn what has been lost, you will lead Jamaica into a better future through the process of rebuilding,” the letter read.

“In light of the long-standing bonds of friendship between Jamaica and Ethiopia, I want to do everything in my power to help you in that process. To that end I have authorised the Royal Ethiopian Trust, of which I am the patron, to make a US$5,000 donation to your Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which was sent by wire transfer a week ago,” he added.

Minister Grange said fundraising efforts under the ‘I Love Jamaica’ series are ongoing, noting that discussions are under way with several organisations and friends of Jamaica in major diaspora cities interested in staging I Love Jamaica concerts in their communities.

The initiative launched with the I Love Jamaica virtual concert and telethon on Sunday, November 23, broadcast live on Jamaican television and streamed globally across social media platforms.

The telethon raised more than $65 million for the national Hurricane Melissa relief programme. Grange said $45.7 million has already been received and deposited into the Support Jamaica account.

“Based on pledges made, we also anticipate that an additional sum of approximately $20 million will be received shortly and, in fact, we have started receiving those pledges,” she said.

Grange added that several Jamaicans in Hollywood — including actors, actresses, producers, directors and friends of Jamaica — have launched a fundraising campaign of their own to support Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.