Hi, I'm Marcus. I'm fundraising from the UK for my family in Westmoreland, Jamaica who were badly affected by Hurricane Melissa. A great number of buildings had their roofs ripped off or were destroyed completely, with many people left with no electricity or access to phone service or internet.

Jamaica is a tiny island, less than 150 miles across, and yet its influence on the world is unbelievably powerful. I cannot walk the streets of any city without seeing or hearing an echo of a stone that was first dropped in Jamaica. Through its exploitation during slavery and subsequent "post"-colonial cultural explosion it still shakes the earth, and many giddily absorb its vibrations. However, outside of this few foreigners know much about the island and its people. Even when tourists come to visit, 99% will never venture outside of their coastal hotel walls and see how people live in the country.

The destruction Melissa left in its path was devastating. Imagine the most powerful tornado but 700 miles wide, with 185mph winds, travelling at jogging speed, all while dumping huge amounts of rain. These once dense and luscious hills have had their vegetation stripped. Most of the buildings in the area have corrugated iron roofs or wooden walls and have hence been obliterated. People were in these buildings as all this was happening, which in itself is very traumatic, but now they have the emotional ordeal of assessing the damage done to their homes and livelihoods.

I believe it's important to contextualise the situation both politically and environmentally, because as fossil fuel and tech companies continue to drive climate catastrophes like this (while evading accountability), pumping greenhouse gas emissions have warmed the oceans, pushing hurricanes to the extreme, conducting mutual aid in such a manner in the face of disaster will become a regular occurrence for us all. Everything and everyone is connected. The dominoes may fall first in the Global South, but they will inevitably topple in The North. And as those of us in Europe become accustomed to watching people lose everything through our phone screens, we know it is only a matter of minutes before the water starts to rise around our own ankles. Yes, this could be you, but as it stands this is us. Climate does not abide by man-made borders and trivial diving principles.

In the face of catastrophe community is the only remedy.

The funds raised will be used to help repair damage to family homes and businesses (structural repairs to roofs and wall and replacement of damaged household items), Please only spare what you can afford. It is much appreciated.