On October 28, 2025, families across Jamaica braced for what was fearfully being called the strongest storm their island had ever endured. By the next morning, Hurricane Melissa had torn through western Jamaica, bringing devastation by ripping off nearly all roofs in its path, blowing windows out, flooding entire communities with mud and water, and mangling tower lines. In the parishes of St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas, Westmoreland, Clarendon and Manchester, most are without power, and homes, hospitals and schools have been especially devastated. Families are gathered in shelters together, unsure of what comes next.
All Hands & Hearts is on the Ground, Responding
Yesterday, our team traveled west across Jamaica from Kingston to Santa Cruz, moving into the heart of the disaster zone near Black River. Flooded roads, fallen trees and downed power lines made travel slow and treacherous, but we pressed on, becoming the first organization on the ground ready to support communities in urgent need. Homes had torn roofs and damaged walls, streets were blocked by debris, and families were struggling to find safe shelter and basic necessities. Our team is immediately beginning to provide the support we can, delivering essential supplies to evacuation shelters, churches, and other facilities that are hosting displaced families. Efforts are also underway to set up a Starlink connection, safety permitting, to give families a way to contact loved ones.
Today, one team will relocate its base to Mandeville to be closer to the hardest-hit areas, while another team remains in Kingston to pick up additional items and deploy them to other affected communities. Across both teams, we are coordinating with local partners to maximize our impact, laying the foundation for sustained relief as families begin the long and difficult process of recovery.
Recovery shouldn’t take a lifetime.
The road to recovery after a storm like Hurricane Melissa will be long, but we know what it takes to rebuild. More than a year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, our teams are still on the ground in Florida, standing beside families as they recover. We’ll do the same here in Jamaica and stay as long as it takes to help communities heal and rebuild.
Thank you for standing with AH&H as we work to keep families safe and supported through the months ahead.
Make a Difference
Your support makes this work possible. Please consider donating to help us continue providing critical relief to disaster-impacted communities. Together, we can make a difference.
Thank you for standing with communities in their greatest time of need.
