AdvertisementJAPPO Steps Up in the Wake of Disaster
By HSJ Staff · · Empowerment Edition · 6 min read
When Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica, it did not discriminate. Homes, schools, and businesses were torn apart from St. Elizabeth to St. Mary, leaving devastation in its path. In Black River and surrounding communities, floodwaters rose swiftly, cutting off entire districts. Across the island, power lines were down, leaving thousands in darkness without electricity, water, or communication for days.
Amid this chaos, one group quietly rose to the challenge. Under the leadership of Mark Law, President of the Jamaica Association of Private Pharmacy Owners (JAPPO), Jamaica’s private pharmacists mobilized almost overnight, effectively transforming their pharmacies into lifelines of hope.
HEALING JAMAICA, ONE DELIVERY AT A TIME.
Recognizing the urgency, JAPPO’s hurricane mitigation efforts were swift and coordinated, launching an islandwide response that aimed to provide for immediate needs:
Basic food supplies for families struggling to meet daily needs.
Special care bundles for women and children, including hygiene items, baby formula, and sanitary products.
Materials to assist with temporary shelter.
Communication posts powered by Starlink connections, batteries, and generators, allowing residents in remote areas to charge their phones and reconnect with loved ones.
Getting these supplies to those who needed them most was no easy task. With roads washed out and large trucks unable to pass, volunteers turned to small vans and personal vehicles, navigating through debris, flooded streets, and broken bridges to reach isolated communities.
“Our pharmacists live and work in these communities. We see the needs firsthand, so when Melissa struck, we knew we couldn’t wait on perfect conditions. We had to move immediately.” — Mark Law
COMMUNITY CARERS.
In St. Elizabeth, where the hurricane’s winds were especially cruel, local pharmacists braved damaged roadways to reach isolated areas. In Black River, pharmacists became community-carers offering comfort, and connection in communities that needed it most.
JAPPO’s members continue to distribute supplies within their parishes, maintaining a steady presence long after the first wave of relief. Their efforts, driven by compassion and community spirit, have become a testament to Jamaica’s strength in crisis.
“A storm can break buildings, but not Jamaica’s spirit. We’ve seen strength, generosity, and unity in every community we’ve visited.” — Mark Law
