8 organizations supporting much-needed hurricane relief in Jamaica

When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica with a force of Category 5, the island was battered by gale force winds and torrential rain, plunging the Caribbean country into a full-blown humanitarian crisis. The devastation requires more than sympathy; it calls for action in the form of aid and resources. Here are eight concrete ways to donate to hurricane relief in Jamaica.

American Friends of Jamaica Disaster Relief Fund

American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) Disaster Relief Fund, a non-profit organization based in the United States that has been helping Jamaica since 1982, offers emergency assistance – including food, shelter and reconstruction – to communities affected by disasters. The company operates from the US and works hand in hand with Jamaican partners. In response to the landfall of Hurricane Melissa, the Fund was mobilized to provide relief and support the reconstruction of areas affected by the storm.

Immediate help

Direct Relief, a healthcare-focused nonprofit organization, has mobilized emergency supplies, advance assistance and cash resources to support relief efforts in Jamaica. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, the organization turned his attention to Jamaica and the broader Caribbean, where battered health care facilities and vulnerable communities suffer storm damage, flooding and collapsed infrastructure. Donations can be made through Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa page.

Global empowerment mission

Global Empowerment Mission’s (GEM) Caribbean Response, supported by its crews, including a unit stationed in Kingston, Jamaica, has been preparing supplies, mobilized logistics and coordinated assistance across Jamaica and the broader region in anticipation of the storm. GEM’s rapid presence on the ground, operating both before and after Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, was critical to the island nation besieged by storm surges and flooding. Donate to GEM via their donation portal.

GiveDirectly – Money Transfers to Jamaicans

GiveDirectly, a nonprofit organization that distributes money to those in need, has rolled out emergency cash transfers to families affected by Hurricane Melissa. The money gives recipients the freedom to cover urgent needs – groceries, shelter or medical bills – without having to rely on donations. The campaign started the moment the storm passed.

World Food Programme

The United Nations food aid agency, the World Food Program (WFP), is delivering emergency food parcels, logistics and disaster relief supplies to the Jamaican government in flood- and storm-affected communities following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa. The WFP is well equipped to respond to large-scale disasters through its existing systems. To donate, visit the WFP website and search for Hurricane Melissa relief.

Red Cross Movement

The International Red Cross/Red Crescent Network, working with the local community of the Jamaican Red Cross, initiated early response efforts in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean before and after Hurricane Melissa. These efforts include shelters, evacuations, and relief supplies (water, tarps, medical kits). Coordinated relief efforts are critical due to the historic strength of the storm and Jamaica’s fragile infrastructure.

Send help

Send Relief, a faith-based humanitarian network affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, is mobilizing local church partners, generators, food, emergency supplies and volunteers to Jamaica and neighboring islands affected by Hurricane Melissa. They are intended to provide assistance during and after the passage of the storm. This faith-based outreach channel complements larger NGOs and churches and potentially reaches underserved communities. To donate, visit the Send Relief Hurricane Melissa page.

Good360

Good360, a US-based nonprofit organization, works with partner NGOs to coordinate logistics for goods and disaster relief. For Hurricane Melissa, they are collecting generators, tarps, hygiene kits and other supplies, sending them to Jamaica and utilizing both the island’s logistics network and their own global support hubs. The organization’s core mission is to deliver essential goods to affected areas during and after disasters. Good360 knows that a smooth supply chain can make the difference. Their Hurricane Melissa relief activation page offers individuals a way to donate or otherwise support the efforts.

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