Our first shipments of tarps have arrived in Jamaica, along with tools, materials and dedicated teams of local workers and volunteers, ready to get protection in place as quickly as possible.
After Hurricane Melissa, communities across Jamaica are experiencing widespread roof damage, making emergency tarping a top priority. Tarps are a crucial first step, temporarily replacing roofs torn off during the storm to protect families and their belongings from frequent rains.
One of the areas we’ve prioritized is Elim, a community north of Santa Cruz that has seen little outside support. Our teams began tarping roofs in Elim, completing three homes on our first day. We have also been completing debris removal at homes that have received no help in recovery, besides neighbors helping neighbors. The community is home to 723 people, where many rely on small farms for income, traveling 20–40 minutes by taxi to sell fruit and produce in nearby towns, making the restoration of both homes and farmland critical.
Flooding remains widespread, leaving standing water that creates a mosquito breeding ground. Meanwhile, electricity remains out, as power lines damaged during the storm have not yet been repaired. Without electricity, the local water pump that serves Elim and nearby communities remains offline, forcing families to buy water or rely on unsanitary sources.
Beyond tarping, we’ve also focused on water and sanitation. In Whitehouse, we provided 100 additional water filters and buckets through our partner Wine to Water, with another 50 en route to communities in need.
Our team has also been hard at work in Belmont, a coastal community in Westmoreland Parish. At Sourcefarm, an organic farm, we helped the owner remove debris and plant banana trees. This work is vital, as western Jamaica, rich in farmland, was heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa, and rebuilding crops is key to preventing a potential food shortage in the coming months.
Thanks to the commitment of local workers, volunteers and partners, we’re moving quickly to help communities across the island recover from Hurricane Melissa. From roofs to water to farmland, every effort is helping families rebuild, one home and one farm at a time.
