B87Cares: How to Help Hurricane Melissa Victims Recover from the Record-Breaking Storm
Written by b87fm on 10/26/2025
Hurricane Melissa has gone down as the strongest storm of 2025 — leaving behind catastrophic damage and urgent humanitarian needs across Jamaica and Cuba.
What Happened…
Camilla Powell 27, and daughter Destiny Ellington, 5, stand outside of their home in Alligator Pond, Jamaica, Oct. 29, 2025, after Hurricane Melissa swept through the area. Melissa made landfall Oct. 28 in Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with top winds of 185 mph. One of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, Melissa has left dozens dead and widespread destruction across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti. (OSV News photo/Octavio Jones, Reuters)
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, as a Category 5 hurricane packing 185 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm struck eastern Cuba the following morning, unleashing flooding rains, devastating winds, and dangerous storm surges.
At least seven people have died, and thousands have been displaced in Jamaica alone — marking not just the deadliest event of the season, but the most powerful hurricane on record for 2025.
Waves splash in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Credit : AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
How You Can Help
A number of aid organizations have already mobilized to help families rebuild, distribute food and water, and provide medical support.
Residents self-evacuate under pouring rain from Playa Siboney to safe locations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 28, 2025.
YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty
World Central Kitchen
Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (WCK) pre-deployed teams ahead of landfall to serve meals to affected communities. WCK is coordinating with local restaurants to ensure food distribution as soon as roads reopen.
Donate: World Central Kitchen
Red Cross
The Jamaican Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and pre-positioned essential supplies including tarps, water, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters for more than 165,000 at-risk residents.
Donate: Red Cross
A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.
RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty
GlobalGiving
The nonprofit launched a Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund to support food, water, emergency medical care, and supplies for displaced families and animals.
Donate: GlobalGiving
The American Friends of Jamaica
The AFJ Disaster Relief Fund is coordinating with groups such as Food for the Poor and GEM to deploy rapid disaster aid across Jamaica.
Donate: AFJ Relief Fund
Direct Relief
Direct Relief has committed $250,000 in emergency aid and released its full medical inventory to Caribbean health providers.
Donate: Direct Relief
A man walks along the coastline in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
AP Photo/Matias Delacroix
The Salvation Army
Known for its rapid disaster response, The Salvation Army is providing shelter, food, bottled water, and emotional support to survivors.
Donate: The Salvation Army
Project HOPE
Project HOPE is mobilizing emergency teams and medical supplies for immediate deployment to Jamaica once conditions allow.
Donate: Project HOPE
International Medical Corps
IMC teams are already coordinating with local health ministries, distributing supplies, and preparing to send additional medical personnel as needed.
Donate: International Medical Corps
A person walks in front of a house damaged by Hurricane Melissa in Kingston, Jamaica, 28 October 2025.
Rudolph Brown/EPA/Shutterstock
Sean Paul Foundation
Sean Paul’s Foundation at Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest charity organization in Jamaica. Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, is the largest international relief and development organization in the United States.
Donate: Sean Paul Foundation
Hurricane Melissa has rewritten the record books — but in its wake, the human need is what defines the story. Whether through a few dollars, a shared link, or volunteer time, every bit of support helps rebuild lives and communities.
