Jamaica LANDS
Left Alliance for National Democracy and Socialism
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 Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts

This page is dedicated to compiling information on the situation in Jamaica , including ways to access resources and ways to assist in the recovery efforts, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. This page is being updated on an ongoing basis, and information may be added or changed with time.

We are not currently collecting any donations of either money or items, but we are providing support for other efforts. Our organisers have been checking in with our own base to ensure that everyone is safe. Groups within our base have been encouraged to mobilise to volunteer for on-the-ground recovery efforts as well as to donate material aid to initiatives being led by other groups and organisations.

  • The situation in Jamaica is very grave. Nearly 80% of residences lost electricity, telecommunications services have been down in hard-hit areas, infrastructural damage made multiple hospitals inaccessible or unusable, and landslides led roads to either collapse or become blocked. This has left many communities isolated, without any means of communication or transportation between them and other parts of the island.

    The fastest-paced communication has been through social media, as journalists and public officials have mobilised to oversee and give updates about the situation and recovery efforts.

    List of organisations’ websites and social media accounts:

    List of important individual social media accounts:

    • Andrew Holness (Prime Minister) - Twitter

    • Daryl Vaz (Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy) - Twitter

    • Floyd Green (Minister of Agriculture, MP for St. Elizabeth SW) - Twitter

    • Dayton Campbell (MP for Westmoreland E) - Twitter

    • Giovanni Dennis (Journalist) - Twitter

    • Damion Mitchell (Journalist) - Twitter

  • There are multiple ways to donate to emergency relief efforts.

    • Donate Money: You can directly donate money to relief efforts, through the government. This is the best way for persons abroad to get involved. You can also pledge to donate specific items, and the government will reach out to coordinate with you.

    • Donate Supplies: Multiple local independent groups are coordinating to deliver immediate and ongoing relief to the areas that have been hit hardest by the storm.

    • Donate Blood: The Ministry of Health says that “national blood supplies are critically low” indicating an urgent need for blood donations at multiple locations around the island.

  • Locals can connect with volunteer groups for this disaster or even sign up to join groups to be on standby for future ones.

    • GoJ: The Government of Jamaica is calling for volunteers to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.

    • Medical Staff: The Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) is asking doctors and nurses to volunteer to assist the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, as well as other health facilities around the island.

    • HOV: “Humanity Ova Vanity” is coordinating volunteer efforts including manual labour to clear debris, healthcare services (including mental health), relief/aid delivery, as well as engagement with children and the elderly.

    • NDRMVP: The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Manegement (ODPEM) has a “National Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Programme” that anyone 18 years and over can sign up for. The next recruitment cycle will begin in early 2026. Sign up to be mobilised for prevention initiatives and to help to respond to future emergencies.

    Foreign volunteers should register with the government before attempting to travel to Jamaica.

  • Outages in electricity and telecommunications have made it difficult for an immediate full assessment of the situation. Even where some persons have internet access to post content on social media, it may not be in a format that enables the full context and location to be known to enable assistance.

    • Report Incident/Damage: The government is mobilising to clear blockages and restore connections across different parts of Jamaica. You may make a report to the ODPEM or the JDF if you notice any damage to buildings or infrastructure, any issues with utilities, or any hazards.

    • JaCIRT: The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team has detected multiple fraudulent sites impersonating the government’s official relief fund. If you notice any such site, or any other scam taking advantage of the disaster, you are welcome to report it by sending an email to ja.cirt@opm.gov.jm‍.