Charities and Community Organizations Rally to Support Jamaica and the Caribbean
Charities and Community Organizations Rally to Support Jamaica and the Caribbean
When Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean in late October 2025, it left behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Entire communities were flooded, homes and roads were washed away, and thousands were left without power, water, or shelter. Yet amid the devastation, compassion and action quickly rose to the surface. Charities and community organizations, both local and international, have mobilized to bring relief, rebuild hope, and remind the region that it is not alone.
A Region in Crisis
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, making it one of the strongest hurricanes in recent Caribbean history. Similar in strength to Hurricane Dorian, which devastated parts of The Bahamas in 2019, Melissa unleashed heavy rains and storm surges that overwhelmed critical infrastructure across Jamaica. Landslides isolated rural towns, disrupted supply lines, and left entire communities inaccessible. In the days following the storm, access to clean water, electricity, and basic medical care became urgent priorities.
But while the scale of the crisis is immense, so too is the global response. Across Jamaica, Canada, and beyond, humanitarian organizations are working around the clock to provide food, clean water, shelter, and long-term recovery assistance.
Relief Efforts and the Organizations Leading the Way
The Salvation Army Canada
The Salvation Army is playing a vital role in emergency response across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. As the Canadian branch shared in a recent statement, the organization has paused to pray for those affected and for the courage of emergency responders and volunteers assisting communities on the ground. Before the storm made landfall, Salvation Army officers in Jamaica worked tirelessly to urge residents to relocate to government-designated shelters, and they continue to assess needs across affected areas.
Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds reaching 185 mph (298 km/h), is the most powerful hurricane to strike Jamaica in modern history. The government has declared a national state of catastrophe, with widespread infrastructure damage, power outages, and community displacement. The Salvation Army’s divisions in Jamaica — which include 42 corps and nine outposts — are providing emergency aid, food, and shelter, while ministering to those living on the streets to ensure their safety.
The organization is also monitoring developments in Cuba, where the storm caused flooding and property damage, and in nearby nations including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Salvation Army teams across the region are coordinating with local governments and international emergency services to deliver continuous support where it is most needed.
Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross has a long history of working closely with partners in the Americas, including the Jamaica Red Cross, Haiti Red Cross, Cuban Red Cross, and Dominican Red Cross. Together, these organizations form part of a coordinated humanitarian network responding to crises across the region.
In response to Hurricane Melissa, the Canadian Red Cross has deployed humanitarian experts to Panama and Jamaica to support the Jamaica Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross. More than 18,000 emergency relief items — including menstrual hygiene management kits, hygiene parcels, shelter toolkits, mosquito nets, and other vital supplies — are being sent to Jamaica. These resources, maintained through ongoing support from the Government of Canada and public donations, ensure that relief can be deployed rapidly in times of disaster.
Pre-positioned tarps and other emergency stocks have also been distributed, helping the Jamaica Red Cross reach affected families more quickly. Canadians wishing to assist can donate directly to the Canadian Red Cross Hurricane Melissa Appeal, which supports life-saving aid and ongoing recovery across the Caribbean.
GlobalMedic
Toronto-based GlobalMedic is currently in Jamaica distributing water filters, emergency kits, and food across the country’s northwest side, according to the organization’s executive director, Rahul Singh. Known for its rapid-response model, GlobalMedic specializes in delivering life-saving supplies within days of a disaster, ensuring that families in hard-to-reach areas have access to clean water and essential relief items. Their teams are working alongside local partners to stabilize affected communities and prepare for longer-term recovery operations.
Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton
The Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton has been actively coordinating relief efforts to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. The organization is accepting donations, including e-transfers, with all funds being directed to the Government of Jamaica to assist in national recovery and rebuilding efforts.
In addition, the Foundation is partnering with the African-Canadian Caribbean Association and the Hamilton Caribbean Women’s Group to host a Hurricane Melissa Relief Concert on November 8th. The event will bring the community together in solidarity, raising both awareness and funds to help those impacted by the storm.
Through these efforts, the Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton continues to demonstrate the strength and compassion of the Caribbean diaspora, uniting people across Ontario in support of Jamaica during this critical time.
Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation
Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF) has launched a Hurricane Relief Fund to provide life-saving assistance to students and families impacted by the storm. The organization, known for building 27 schools and offering scholarships and meal programs across Jamaica, is now mobilizing its network to respond to this humanitarian crisis.
In a statement on Instagram, HHJF shared:
“Hurricane Melissa is about to make landfall upon our beloved communities in Jamaica; we are in dire need of donations to be ready to support. Your support has been instrumental in furthering our mission to provide access to education to all children of Jamaica, and right now, we need your help more than ever.”
Many of the schools built by HHJF are now serving as emergency shelters, providing protection for families displaced by flooding and damage. Donations made to the organization during this period will directly support relief and rebuilding efforts.
The Samaritan’s Purse Canada
Samaritan’s Purse has been responding in Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa struck, establishing relief operations in Black River and other hard-hit communities. The organization has already completed four airlifts, carrying more than 100 tons of relief supplies to the island.
Their response includes distributing household kits, setting up community water filtration systems, and providing household water filters to ensure access to clean water. On November 5, Samaritan’s Purse opened an Emergency Field Hospital in Black River, equipped to deliver emergency medical and surgical care, obstetrics, and pharmacy and lab services to surrounding communities.Working alongside local churches and community leaders, Samaritan’s Purse is identifying needs and providing essential supplies to families facing devastating loss — offering both practical aid and compassion in a time of crisis.
The Power of Diaspora and Local Support
In Canada, diaspora communities have been quick to organize.Groups like the Jamaica Foundation of Hamilton, Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), Jamaicans in London, Ontario, the Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association, and the Hamilton Caribbean Women’s Group are mobilizing fundraising events, collecting supplies, and partnering with larger organizations to ensure that aid reaches those most in need.
The Jamaican Canadian Association has issued an urgent appeal for donations of non-perishable food items to support relief efforts and help rebuild affected communities. The requested items include bottled water, baby food, boxed juice, powdered milk, dry foods, and canned goods. Donations can be dropped off at the JCA Monday to Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
These groups play a crucial role in bridging the gap between donors in Canada and families in Jamaica. For many Caribbean Canadians, the crisis is deeply personal — and their rapid response shows the strength and unity of the diaspora community.
Looking Ahead
Recovery from Hurricane Melissa will take months, if not years. Beyond emergency aid, communities will need help rebuilding homes, repairing schools, restoring farmlands, and addressing the mental-health toll of displacement and loss. The region’s resilience is remarkable, but continued global attention and coordinated support are essential.
For those who wish to help, donating to verified charities remains the most effective way to make an impact. Contributions to groups such as the Canadian Red Cross, GlobalMedic, Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse Canada, The Salvation Army, and the Jamaican Canadian Association go directly toward relief and rebuilding efforts.
Standing Together
As the Caribbean begins to recover, these acts of generosity remind us that compassion knows no borders. Whether through international organizations, local charities, or diaspora-led initiatives, the world is rallying behind Jamaica and its neighbours with empathy, strength, and solidarity.
Hurricane Melissa may have tested the region’s resilience — but it has also revealed its enduring spirit of unity, courage, and hope.
About the Writer: Thea King is a volunteer writer with the CharityAxess Writers Program. She studied Communication at the University of The Bahamas and is passionate about storytelling that uplifts communities and highlights social impact. As an emerging writer, Thea is gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit journalism while exploring how media can inspire positive change.
Aerial view of flood-affected areas in Westmoreland, Jamaica, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. — Photo by Agence France-Presse (AFP)
