Understanding the scale of devastation helps contextualize the ongoing relief needs:
Source: ODPEM Jamaica, National Hurricane Center, World Food Programme
Hurricane Melissa made landfall at New Hope in southwestern Jamaica, devastating parishes that serve as the nation's agricultural breadbasket:
These communities are our priority focus areas. We intend to fundraise and collect supplies that will be routed through verified NGO partners who coordinate distribution of WASH supplies, medical equipment, shelter materials, and emergency food assistance.
Partner Organizations: Jamaica Red Cross, local community groups, parish councils
Jamaica Hurricane Relief is building a Florida-based grassroots network to fundraise and collect supplies for verified NGO partners. As operations begin, we will publish detailed tracking of:
Jamaica Hurricane Relief is an independent organization (not officially affiliated with any government agency or NGO). Below is publicly available information about relief organizations operating in Jamaica:
Managed by: ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management)
The official government fund coordinates island-wide humanitarian response, emergency shelter operations, infrastructure assessment, and recovery planning.
Operations: Emergency shelter management, first aid, family reunification services
Jamaica Red Cross is coordinating shelter operations for the 25,000+ displaced persons, providing emergency supplies, and reuniting families separated by the hurricane.
Operations: Medical relief, mobile health clinics, hospital support
Project HOPE is providing medical supplies to damaged hospitals, operating mobile health clinics to reach isolated communities, and supporting mental health services for trauma survivors. Charity Navigator 4-star rating.
Operations: Emergency food distribution, food security assessment, agricultural recovery
WFP is coordinating logistics for emergency food assistance, assessing long-term food security needs, and supporting agricultural recovery in Jamaica's devastated breadbasket region.
Major milestones in Hurricane Melissa response and recovery:
Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds strikes New Hope, southwestern Jamaica. Immediate search and rescue operations begin. ODPEM activates emergency response protocols.
Jamaica Red Cross and ODPEM open emergency shelters across affected parishes. Over 25,000 people displaced. International relief organizations begin deploying resources.
PAHO, WFP, and relief organizations conduct rapid needs assessments. Priority needs identified: WASH supplies, medical equipment, shelter materials, food security. International donor coordination begins.
Jamaica Hurricane Relief builds Florida-based grassroots network, establishes drop points for supply collection, and formalizes partnerships with verified NGOs (Direct Relief, Red Cross, World Food Programme) who have established Jamaica operations.
Transition from emergency response to recovery operations. Focus on rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, agricultural replanting, and economic recovery support.
Permanent housing reconstruction, infrastructure hardening, disaster preparedness improvements, mental health support, and economic development programs.
As relief operations progress, we will share verified stories from communities, relief workers, and local partners about how donations are making a difference in Jamaica's recovery.
All stories will be sourced from verified relief organizations and local partners to ensure accuracy and respect for survivors' privacy.
Jamaica Hurricane Relief is building a South Florida grassroots network to support verified NGO partners:
Your donation supports verified NGO relief operations helping Jamaica rebuild.
Donate Now View ResourcesJamaica Hurricane Relief is committed to full transparency in all operations:
Visit our Transparency & Accountability page for detailed financial reporting as operations progress.