What is happening in Jamaica?
We are responding in the Caribbean after Hurricane Melissa swept across the region, leaving a trail of destruction – widespread flooding, landslides, and damage to homes.
Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm – the strongest in 90 years. With sustained winds of 185 mph, the storm tore across the country for hours, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Entire communities are flooded, hospitals damaged, and power is out across much of the island.
The Prime Minister has declared Jamaica a disaster area.
Thousands of people are sheltering in emergency centers, and many more are stranded or displaced. Roads are blocked, communications are down, and the full scale of the damage is still unfolding.
Right now, we don’t know the full extent of the damage. Early reports show severe flooding, power outages, and damage to homes, hospitals, and roads – especially in Jamaica, which took a direct hit from the strongest storm ever recorded there.
Haiti has also been hit hard, with deadly flooding and landslides. We’re also closely monitoring the situation in Haiti, Cuba, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos. The priority in these early stages will be search and rescue.
What is ShelterBox doing?
We have distributed emergency shelter aid to thousands of people in Jamaica. Families have received shelter kits with tarpaulins, tools, and rope to make quick repairs and protect themselves from the weather. Thermal blankets, mosquito nets, and water carriers are helping people stay healthy and warm.
This aid was shipped from our warehouse in Barbados, where supplies were pre-positioned before the hurricane season. More tarpaulins, rope, and essential items have now arrived from our warehouse in Panama for the next phase of the response.
We are working closely with partners, including Food for the Poor and Rotary in Jamaica, to ensure aid reaches those who need it most. Food for the Poor has also distributed hygiene kits and food, while its partner Water Mission provided buckets. Together, our teams have been packing aid at the Food for the Poor warehouse in Jamaica, ready for each distribution.
Solar lights will help families safely move around after dark, with power still down in many areas. More distributions are taking place in Westmoreland and St James, and we are scaling up to support up to 10,000 people in total with emergency shelter and essential supplies.
How can I support people facing crisis?
Donate today – you can help us bring hope and relief to those who need it most. Every donation counts. Giving helps restore dignity, safety, and hope to those who have lost everything.
You can also stay informed and share on social media to raise awareness about the crisis people are facing in Jamaica.
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