Hurricane Melissa: How to Help Impacted Communities in Jamaica
When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica late last month, it instantly became the strongest storm ever to strike the Caribbean island nation. The damage was devastating. According to the U.N., approximately 1.5 million Jamaicans were impacted by the hurricane. Authorities said 32 people died and more than 100,000 homes or housing structures were damaged or destroyed. They estimate that around 36,000 people are now in need of food.
The country’s rich musical heritage has also been knocked off its foundation. Members of the reggae community, especially in the western part of Jamaica, found damaged studios and wrecked equipment. “All the studios are shut down and nobody is working,” producer Wayne Jobson told Rolling Stone. “The Jamaican music business will definitely be closed for the next few weeks, as a lot of roads are blocked.”
Shaggy, the reggae and dancehall artist, has been personally coordinating food, water, and medicine dispersal to those in need using a network of private planes. “People are homeless,” he recently told Rolling Stone. “There’s no running water, there’s no electricity, there’s no shelter. They were sleeping on the streets. We came in last night, we gave out water, we gave out food.”
Here’s a collection of organizations and aid groups accepting donations to fund emergency relief efforts in the Caribbean.
American Friends of Jamaica
The AFJ’s disaster relief fund has so far raised more than $2.7 million on the way to a $5 million goal. Those wishing to donate to the org, which has been providing aid to Jamaica since the early Eighties, can do so here.
American Red Cross
With many of Jamaica’s roadways impacted by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Red Cross is focused on regaining access to communities to deliver humanitarian aid. So far, they’ve helped provide cleaning supplies, blankets, and shelter kits to those in need. The American Red Cross has deployed a team of international responders to assist. Donate and learn more here.
CORE
The Community Organized Relief Effort is recognizing its 15 year presence in Haiti, which was also struck by Hurricane Melissa, with a 15th anniversary matching fund for those who donate to relief efforts. Donations made to CORE will be matched, up to $200,000, to assist those in Haiti and Jamaica.
Project HOPE
The health-focused organization is currently in Jamaica working to restore the nation’s health network via medical personnel and supplies. According to the campaign, the focus is currently on “lifesaving aid” in the threat of disease, continued flooding, and landslides. Learn more and donate here.
World Central Kitchen
Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen has earned its stellar reputation by providing meals to those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The WCK is currently working with Jamaican restaurants to help feed the country’s citizens. In addition, Andres’ org is providing kitchen essentials, from cooking utensils to actual ingredients. Help feed those affected here.
