The Usain Bolt Foundation (UBF) has partnered with Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica to provide relief for communities affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
According to a news release from the foundation, instead of donating cash, it has supported a local Jamaican business by buying non-perishables and water from Lasco Distributors.
“The non-perishables included corned beef, tinned mackerel, chicken sausage, water crackers, baked beans and a food drink,” the foundation said, adding that Food For the Poor will be responsible for the distribution.
“We were saddened to hear of the devastation in Haiti caused by Hurricane Matthew,” the release quoted UBF patron Usain Bolt. “I was particularly moved when I saw the pictures of the children who were affected and who had become homeless. We had to do our part to relieve some of the suffering of our Caribbean children.”
Two weeks ago, Category Four Hurricane Matthew slammed into the south-western tip of Haiti, killing hundreds of people and destroying tens of thousands of flimsy homes, many of them now nothing more than tangles of broken wood and twisted sheet metal.
An estimated 1.4 million people are said to be in need of help and the United Nations envoy for Haiti has said the country is facing “a humanitarian tragedy and an acute emergency situation”.
Andrew Mahfood, FFP Jamaica chairman, said he was honoured that the charity was chosen as the vehicle for distribution. “Food For the Poor has been instrumental in bringing aid to Haiti and we are humbled that the Usain Bolt Foundation has chosen to collaborate with us in assisting the Haitian people,” the release quoted Mahfood.
The Usain Bolt Foundation explained that it is dedicated to making children happy, and enhancing the character of children through educational and cultural development as they live their dreams.
As such, the foundation promotes:
• healthy and safe environment;
• effective use of a recreational facility;
• children’s opportunity to dare to dream;
• stewardship;
• knowledge and philanthropy start with accurate information; and
• Responsible use of the financial resources.
Food For the Poor, regarded as one of the largest international relief and development organisations in Jamaica, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor, primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. The interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95 per cent of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor.