BermudAir is to put on a relief flight to Jamaica with aid for those affected by Hurricane Melissa, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The Bermuda-Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Relief Airlift is being organised between the airline and the Jamaican Association (Bermuda), with partners from all parts of the Bermuda community offering their assistance.

The effort was launched in response to the devastation caused by the hurricane, which made landfall on the Caribbean island on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm.

Dwayne Caines, in the capacity of a concerned citizen, said he was bringing together members of the community to donate goods to go on the flight.

Mr Caines told The Royal Gazette: “I reached out to the Jamaican Association, friends, family members and those in the corporate world, and we are overwhelmed with the amount of support we are getting.

“We have amassed a group of individuals and in under 12 hours, we have set out a framework to get goods to the plane.

“This effort is important because we live on an island and one day this could be us. It is important to pay it forward and play our part.

“Bermudians are known for their compassion as well as their kind spirit, and we are appealing for Bermudians to come to the wicket.

“We have a significant number of Jamaicans in Bermuda; there is an historical connection.”

Mr Caines said it was his understanding that the flight is scheduled to go to Jamaica next week between Tuesday and Thursday.

A press conference, held in tandem with the Jamaican Association, BermudAir and the Government, outlined plans.

The Jamaican Association, led by its president, Yackeisha Weir, will handle on-island logistics, which include the collection, sorting and preparation of goods for shipment.

The Ministry of Health will donate several forms of medical and emergency-response supplies to help healthcare teams in the area.

Mr Caines urged those who donate to remember Jamaica’s status as a tropical island and to fight the urge to “empty out your house”.

He added: “We want you to bring things that we know are useable in that specific environment.”

Mr Caines said that monetary donations will be accepted in due time, but an organised structure must be created first.

He explained: “We’re putting a structure in place so that giving people’s finances, as well as other supplies, are met in Jamaica by individuals who can use it and it can actively be distributed in a way that is reflective of the hearts and minds of Bermuda.

“We know that if we don’t do this in a disciplined fashion, we lose the intent if it goes and does not have a very structured process.

“We just want to make sure that the giving is structured. In the coming days, we will have a disciplined way that we can make corporate donations.”

Martin Amick, the cofounder and chief projects officer of BermudAir, said the idea came from a public suggestion that Bermuda should help with relief efforts.

He said, once the airline floated the offer to Mr Caines, work towards the effort “exploded from there”.

Mr Amick added: “It was really amazing and gratifying to see how many people on the island of Bermuda have stepped forward to help.

“We at BermudAir are just honoured to be a part of that.”

Ms Weir said she had been in contact with family back in Jamaica and received “nerve-racking” feedback.

She said: “Individuals are in distress at the moment and I think what we need at this time is members of the Bermuda community to be able to connect with their family members.”

Ms Weir added: “It has been overwhelming for me. I was very close to having a panic attack from just not being able to connect and watching videos of the storm.

“I have cried. It is hard to just see what has happened to my home island of Jamaica.

“It’s surreal to experience it and not be physically present.”

The Jamaican Association said this week that it hoped to work “collectively” with other organisations to send aid, with the “ravaged” area of St Elizabeth targeted.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, thanked those organising the effort and anyone planning to donate.

He said: “Hurricane Melissa has caused significant devastation to Jamaica and its people.

“As fellow islanders, we understand all too well the vulnerability that comes with living in the path of such storms.

“It is in moments like these that our Caribbean island identity and our enduring regional bonds must move us to action.”

Mr Caines posted on the Facebook page Maj’s List earlier today: “Thanks to the generous support of BermudAir, a relief flight is being organised to deliver much needed supplies to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

“We are working closely with the Bermuda Government, members of the international business community, and our local retail and wholesale partners to co-ordinate this important humanitarian effort.

“This is a clarion call for everyone across Bermuda to get involved — individuals, faith groups and businesses alike. Together, we can make a real difference.

“We extend heartfelt thanks to BermudAir for their generosity and leadership, and to everyone already stepping up to support our neighbours in need.”

BermudAir operated a series of early departures in September to assist residents, visitors and business travellers in leaving the island safely before the expected arrival of Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda.

The sign-up link for volunteers is https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/MSsEukv9b5

The contact for the community effort is Maxanne Caines, who can be reached via e-mail at: maxanne@tpgbda.com.

• Anyone wishing to donate to the Jamaican Association (Bermuda), registered charity No 611, can transfer funds via the HSBC account #010-407-146-001 with the reference “Hurricane Melissa Jamaica”