Support has arrived for the indigenous Accompong community in Jamaica

In the remote hills of St. Elizabeth Parish, far from the main roads and bustling towns, sits the indigenous community of Accompong, a close-knit, historical Maroon settlement that has known resilience for centuries. Accompong was founded in 1739 by formerly enslaved people who drew on the traditions of their Akan ancestors in West Africa. Today, the community continues to uphold its right to self-governance and to preserve its unique cultural and political identity.

Now, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Accompong faces one of its greatest challenges in recent history.

“I’m seeing my neighbours without somewhere to sleep, or seeing their roofs still off,” said Sian, a community leader in Accompong.

The most powerful storm they have ever faced ripped roofs from homes and community centers, scattering debris across the hillside town and into its homes. For days, this remote community received little outside support. Roads were blocked and with access limited, families were left exposed to the ongoing rains with few resources to begin rebuilding.

This week, All Hands & Hearts reached Accompong to deliver urgently needed aid.

We distributed food, water, tarps, and Starlink connectivity, working directly with community leaders, to help families protect what remains of their homes and meet their most immediate needs. By partnering closely with local leadership, we ensured that distributions were led by those who know their community best, reinforcing Accompong’s own systems of coordination and care.

Over the coming days, our teams will continue partnering with local leaders, ensuring essential items reach families and support the community as they begin to rebuild. We are also clearing roads with sawyers and arborists to clear access to roads into remote areas such as Accompong and more, while working to identify additional remote areas that need emergency support, with items such as food, water, tarps and hygiene supplies.