After sweeping across the Caribbean, inflicing heavy damage in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, Melissa is aimed at what is hoped will be her last target: Bermuda.
Melissa hit Jamaica Tuesday as a Category 5 with 185 mph winds—the strongest storm there in 174 years—destroying hospitals, churches and homes and forcing nearly 15,000 people into shelters, according to Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.
The storm hit Cuba Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane, threatening 20-inch rainfall and regional storm surges. The Cuban government urged evacuations, with over 735,000 people relocated by Tuesday night.
At the time of this report, the death toll was climbing, so no firm numbers can be given. Jamaica’s damage assessment remains difficult due to infrastructure damage and power outages.
The government of Jamaica immediately began recovery operations, part of which included a newly launched website to “coordinate relief, mobilize support, and manage recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa,” according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The Support Jamaica official disaster recovery portal accepts monetary donations, which it says will be used for “emergency relief, housing reconstruction, healthcare support, and economic recovery programs.”
In addition, Carnival Corporation, the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and Holland America are making donations to DirectRelief (see below), a global humanitarian nonprofit. Holland America’s On Deck for a Cause 5K walks, which raise funds for DirectRelief, will focus its next several walks on DirectRelief’s Hurricane Melissa fund. Guests on any Holland America cruise can sign up for the walks, which are held on the ships’ promenade decks.
Your Guide to Supporting Hurricane Survivors
Disaster relief experts maintain that financial donations to established organizations yield the greatest impact because these groups have the logistics, expertise and local connections to respond immediately. Here’s where you can donate:
Airlink: Since 2010, Airlink has aided Caribbean disaster zones, including after Hurricane Beryl. Now working with 14+ partners like United and American Airlines, they’re moving critical supplies to Hurricane Melissa-affected areas despite airport closures. The D.C. organization takes cash and miles donations to speed up aid worker deployment.
American Friends of Jamaica: Since 1982, this New York nonprofit has aided the island. Its board recently announced a $1 million matching fund for critical relief and recovery following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.
CARE: The international organization fighting hunger and poverty is rushing lifesaving aid to Jamaica and other Caribbean areas devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Donations will provide first aid, hygiene supplies, emergency food, water, treatment kits, and shelter materials.
CORE: An LA-based nonprofit is seeking cash donations for its Melissa response. With established Haiti programs and Caribbean storm response experience, CORE has deployed emergency teams across Haiti and Jamaica to address victims’ immediate needs.
DirectRelief: Having committed $250,000 in emergency funding for Hurricane Melissa victims, DirectRelief has offered their entire medicine and supply inventory to Jamaica and other impacted countries, dispatched 100 field medic packs and 250 hygiene kits to Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and positioned emergency personnel in the region.
Footprint Project: This New Orleans solar nonprofit is shipping more than 150 portable solar and battery stations from Florida to Jamaica and deploying mobile microgrid equipment from Puerto Rico and Barbados. They accept cash donations for logistics and operations, as well as equipment donations like renewable power, water, and shelter technologies.
Global Empowerment Mission: A U.S.-based nonprofit that has a history of responding to storms in the Caribbean has a team based in Kingston and is seeking donations through the purchase of supplies in its Amazon Wishlist.
Good360: This Virginia nonprofit seeks donations for Hurricane Melissa relief through its vetted local nonprofit partners.
The Sandals Foundation: Accepting donations for hurricane relief.
World Central Kitchen has mobilized in Jamaica, serving fresh meals to Hurricane Melissa victims. The global crisis response organization accepts donations to support its operations.
World Food Programme, operated by the United Nations, is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and is seeking donations for its response to Hurricane Melissa.
