Oct. 31 – On Tuesday, October 28, Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, touched down in the Caribbean, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms to make landfall in recorded history. It caused extreme devastation and loss of life, across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
Jamaica sustained a direct hit from the hurricane, with reports of moderate to severe damage in 170 communities across six parishes. The outer bands of this slow-moving storm also harshly impacted central and southern parts of Haiti. Cuba and the Dominican Republic provided similar reports even after having evacuated thousands prior to the storm’s peak.
Disaster mitigation responders are working to assist survivors, especially those in more rural areas, following this record-breaking storm.
In response to the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean so far, UMCOR has awarded solidarity grants to the Jamaica District and the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). These emergency grants will assist with immediate needs, including food, water, temporary shelter, hygiene kits and over-the-counter medication.
We will remain in communication with the MCCA and other partners in the region as relief efforts continue. We encourage you to continue to pray for those impacted and faithfully support relief and recovery efforts, as food insecurity and the risk of water-borne illnesses will increase in the coming months.
Donations to assist Hurricane Melissa response efforts can be made by clicking “Donate Now” below. Select “IDR – Hurricane Melissa” when asked to choose your preferred gift designation.
