Furness Group lends helping hand to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica

In the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28, the Furness Trinidad Group has mobilized urgent relief efforts. Through its food distribution arm, Furness Shipping & Marketing Limited, the group has dispatched essential canned food items, including corn, peas, carrots, red beans, and chickpeas, to support the affected population. The hurricane, described as the ‘storm of the century,’ caused unprecedented devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming at least 34 lives and leaving widespread destruction in its path. With sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) at its peak, Hurricane Melissa surpassed the intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. William A Ferreira, Chairman and CEO of the Furness Group, expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life and destruction, while emphasizing solidarity with the people of Jamaica. He highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people, stating that this disaster marks a new chapter rather than the end of their story. Ferreira also praised the dedicated efforts of his team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the timely delivery of aid despite the challenging circumstances. The Furness Group’s initiative underscores the importance of collective support in times of crisis, offering hope and essential resources to those affected by this historic natural disaster.