KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) of Seventh-day Adventists and its humanitarian division, ADRA Jamaica, have formally refuted social media allegations accusing them of sharing personal data with the government. The claims suggested that information gathered during Hurricane Melissa relief operations was being funneled to Jamaica’s National Identification System (NIDS).
During a press conference held Wednesday, JAMU Treasurer Pastor Adlai Blythe categorically denied these accusations. He explained that all data collected serves exclusively for internal record-keeping and coordinating relief efforts. “We conduct initial damage assessments to determine individual losses and coordinate our response accordingly,” Blythe stated. “As a registered charity, ADRA Jamaica gathers information solely for distributing aid to affected persons. This information is never shared with any external entity, governmental or non-governmental.”
Blythe emphasized the organization’s compliance with data protection regulations, noting they employ a dedicated data protection officer to ensure protocol adherence.
JAMU President Pastor Everett Brown provided additional context about their hurricane response preparedness. “Prior to Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, we allocated $500,000 across our five conferences to pre-position food and water supplies in strategic locations,” Brown revealed. Following the hurricane, the church deployed ADRA Jamaica staff and conference workers to assess needs and distribute relief materials.
Brown clarified the funding sources for these efforts: “All deployed resources originate from international partners, the global Seventh-day Adventist church, and local contributions. We have received no governmental financial support for this initiative.”
While expressing openness to future government collaboration, Brown stressed the current operation’s independent nature. “As a church embodying Christ’s mission, we respond to human needs wherever they exist. We stand ready to distribute materials through our nationwide network, but our current operations are independently funded through collaborative efforts, not government support.”
ADRA Jamaica operates as a registered humanitarian agency serving vulnerable populations affected by disasters, poverty, and social changes, with presence in over 118 countries worldwide.