Grassroots humanitarian organization Taraji Foundation Inc. executed a targeted, last-mile relief distribution on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, delivering essential household supplies and child-focused psychosocial care to families recovering from severe torrential rains and flooding that struck the island on Oct. 6, 2026.
Held at the National Insurance Services (NIS) Golden Years Activity Centre in Buccament, the emergency operation assisted affected households from Buccament, Questelles, and surrounding areas. Designed around a needs-based humanitarian approach, the distribution prioritized dignity, accessibility, and community respect.
Recipient families received comprehensive relief packages containing food, drinking water, clothing, footwear, bedding, linens, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and essential household items.
To address the emotional toll of the disaster on young residents, the Foundation integrated dedicated psychosocial support (PSS) into the relief effort. Children received coloring pads, games, bubbles, squishy sensory toys, and recreational materials to support emotional recovery. Team members drew on specialized PSS training completed in 2022 under the leadership of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The emergency relief operation was led by Janelle Cox-Douglas, President and Co-Founder of Taraji Foundation Inc., who serves as a Regional Trainer of Trainers in Last-Mile Distribution. Cox-Douglas completed regional training in July 2026 funded by the European Union and led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Caribbean, hosted by Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Caribbean.
Utilizing this structured framework, the Foundation implemented rigorous household assessments, verification processes, volunteer coordination, and community engagement. Organizers emphasized that relief efforts must account for families remaining in damaged homes or staying with relatives, not only those in official shelters.
The successful distribution relied on collaboration across local, regional, and international supporters. Key partner contributions included:
- National Insurance Services (NIS) for providing the Golden Years Activity Centre venue.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (under President Selman) for operational facilities and missionary support.
- Is There Not A Cause (ITNAC) of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Response Caribbean and St. Michael’s Parish in Bequia.
- Local businesses, individual donors, diaspora supporters, and volunteer team members (“Team Taraji”).
Established in 2013, Taraji Foundation Inc. functions as a national implementing partner under the Regional Emergency Framework. The organization operates across four core pillars: Literacy and Education, Child Protection and Wellbeing, Psychosocial Support, and Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response.
With operations in Buccament concluded, the Taraji Foundation is shifting its focus to Mesopotamia, where teams will conduct household assessments to identify priority needs and coordinate subsequent aid deliveries
