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 â leaving behind catastrophic damage and urgent humanitarian needs across Jamaica, Cuba, and other parts of the Caribbean.
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)
The storm made landfall on October 28 around 1 p.m. ET as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Itâs now ranked among the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.
After battering Jamaica, Melissa roared into eastern Cuba early Wednesday, bringing torrential rain, widespread flooding, and catastrophic wind damage.
At least seven people have been confirmed dead in Jamaica, and thousands more have been displaced, making it the deadliest and most powerful hurricane of the 2025 season.
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 JosĂ© AndrĂ©sâ 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
Local and Artist-Led Relief Efforts
Sean Paul Foundation at Food For The Poor (FFP)
FFP Jamaica â the islandâs largest relief organization â is leading food and rebuilding efforts.
Donate: Sean Paul Foundation
Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation
Shaggy has partnered with 25United Disaster Relief and Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to deliver goods directly to Jamaica.
Donate: 25United Disaster Relief
Donate: Global Empowerment Mission
In-kind donations can be sent to:
Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation
c/o Global Empowerment Mission
1850 NW 84th Ave, Ste 100
Doral, FL 33126
or
Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation
3446 SW Armellini Ave.
Palm City, FL 34990
Bob & Rita Marley Foundation
The Marley family has launched a Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort to support displaced Jamaican families.
Donate: Bob & Rita Marley Foundation
Track and field World Champion Noah Lyles and former World Record holder Asafa Powell are collaborating to send aid to communities in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Donate: The Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation
Reggae and Dancehall Community Steps Up
Jamaican artists including Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Spice, Masicka, Shenseea, Chronixx, Koffee, Tarrus, Protoje, Julian Marley, Ding Dong, 450, Jahvy, Richie Stephens, and Flippa Moggela have pledged donations and aid through their foundations and social platforms. B87FM will continue updating donation list as new relief information becomes available.
Government Response
The Jamaican Government has launched an official relief website â supportjamaica.gov.jm â to coordinate national and international aid efforts and provide verified updates on Hurricane Melissa recovery.
Donate/Pledge: Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund
The Bottom Line
Hurricane Melissa may have rewritten the record books, but what matters now is the human story. Whether through donations, sharing information, or volunteering, every act of kindness helps families rebuild and recover from one of the darkest storms in Caribbean history.
