A major humanitarian initiative is underway as £30,000 worth of essential building materials en route from the United Kingdom to Jamaica will provide temporary shelter for families displaced by Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact. The relief effort represents a collaborative partnership between Tazio Heath, founder of Trizone Electrical Services Ltd (UK) and Trizone Haulage Services Ltd (Jamaica), and Simon Lawson, chairman of Lawson’s Timber, Building and Fencing Supplies.
Heath, originally from Old Harbour, St Catherine, was present in Jamaica when the Category 5 hurricane made landfall. Witnessing the destruction firsthand became the catalyst for his intervention. “Seeing the destruction first-hand compelled me to act,” Heath stated. “I knew I had to do something meaningful for the people of Jamaica who were severely impacted. Through consultations with partners, we identified building materials as the most urgent need for communities seeking to rebuild shelters and restore security.”
Lawson detailed how the initiative rapidly developed following Heath’s appeal. Having previously spent time in the Caribbean, Lawson understood the catastrophic potential of hurricanes. “Taz reached out to me and made it very clear that construction materials represented the most critical immediate need,” Lawson explained. “As a builders’ merchant, this aligned perfectly with our capabilities. After consulting our suppliers and internal team, we committed 19 tonnes of building materials to support this cause.”
When questioned about his company’s motivation for supporting such substantial humanitarian efforts, Lawson referenced the philosophical foundations guiding his business approach. “Coming from a Quaker background, I operate on the principle that business transcends mere profit generation,” Lawson articulated. “It fundamentally concerns community building and support. The greatest privilege of entrepreneurship lies in the capacity to assist others facing tragedies beyond their control, particularly natural disasters. Commercial enterprises must maintain a moral compass that supersedes purely profit-driven motivations.”
The humanitarian cargo, comprising timber, plywood, tarpaulins, fittings, tools, and other essential construction materials, departed England’s Port of Hull on February 17, 2026. The shipment is anticipated to arrive in Jamaica imminently, where it will facilitate the construction of robust temporary accommodations for affected families.
Complementing this effort is Marlon Barclay, a St Thomas-born associate of Heath, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the planning, procurement, and loading operations. Both individuals plan to travel to Jamaica to personally oversee the distribution process and collaborate with government relief agencies to ensure materials reach the most vulnerable communities.
Barclay emphasized their targeted approach: “We remain committed to ensuring these materials specifically benefit the north-west St James constituency, an area that has received limited attention despite experiencing severe impacts from this unprecedented hurricane. Our absolute priority remains delivering support to those with the greatest demonstrated need.”
