A record‑breaking storm wreaks havoc
Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica’s south coast at midday on October 28, 2025 as a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds. It was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica in 174 years and quickly devastated the southern and western parishes. The Pan‑American Health Organization (PAHO) notes that the prime minister declared the entire island a disaster area on the day the storm struck. By early November, officials confirmed that at least 32 people had been killed in Jamaica, with many more feared dead as roads to hard‑hit communities remained blocked. The storm also tore through Haiti, where the death toll climbed to 43, underscoring Melissa’s regional scale.
Infrastructure across Jamaica has been shattered. PAHO’s situational reports describe catastrophic damage to hospitals and clinics, with health services operating in emergency‑only mode. Power outages affected more than 60% of the island, leaving an estimated 600,000–700,000 people effectively “digitally invisible” because mobile networks and internet service collapsed. Western parishes such as St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland were cut off by fallen concrete posts and trees strewn across the road; even days later, helicopters had to drop food into isolated communities. In many villages, families were dipping buckets into rivers for drinking water and roasting breadfruit because food supplies had run out. Government officials warn that damage may exceed $6 billion, a staggering blow to an island still recovering from previous storms.
Greater Good Charities Mobilized Aid Immediately
While the full scale of destruction became clear, Greater Good Charities mobilized immediately. Within hours of the storm’s passage, our disaster response team coordinated with partner organizations in south Florida to assemble emergency shipments of personal hygiene and care supplies, non-pharmaceutical veterinary medical items, pet food and cleaning items. Axios Miami highlighted that Greater Good Charities’ Wilton Manors partner warehouse was prepping critical aid bound for Jamaica. We also worked alongside Pet Project for Pets, Inc. and other South Florida nonprofits to load items onto flights headed for the island, making us one of the first nongovernmental groups to deliver relief.
A six‑hour drive that should have taken ninety minutes
On October 29, our field team landed in Jamaica and immediately attempted to reach hard‑hit areas in the west. What should have been a 1.5‑hour trip from Kingston to Montego Bay turned into a six‑hour journey as they navigated washed‑out bridges, fallen power lines and debris‑strewn roads. Fuel shortages exacerbated the journey; with electronic payment systems down, gas stations would only accept cash. Along the route, the team encountered entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, roofs ripped from houses and trees blocking side roads. In many communities, they saw no sign of other humanitarian aid agencies, underscoring how isolated some residents remain.
Animals desperate for help
The situation for animals is just as dire. Our disaster team attempted to reach the Montego Bay Animal Foundation, a sanctuary caring for over 130 dogs, 2 cats and other animals, but the road was impassable. Undeterred, they hiked a mile with staff members who had walked out of the sanctuary to meet them and collect pet food. The facility’s backup meat supply had spoiled when the power went out, leaving the animals with nothing. Our team provided all the pet food we could carry and is working to establish a reliable supply chain until the roads reopen. Because the sanctuary is perched on higher ground, the animals survived the storm, but without assistance, they will soon face starvation.
Rush Aid for Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief
Bees decimated, beekeepers struggling
With an estimated 67,000 bee colonies on Jamaica alone, tens of thousands have been damaged or destroyed by Melissa across the Caribbean, leaving billions of bees in danger of starvation. Greater Good Charities has a long history of standing up for pollinators in crisis. We’re now communicating with beekeeping associations and other partners in Jamaica to send bee sugar and pollen substitute, bee gloves and jackets, and nuc boxes, so beekeepers can rescue and sustain their remaining hives in the coming weeks and prevent further devastation to these ecosystems.
Communities are cut off and the need Is urgent
Journalists visiting the west coast described communities still isolated four days after the hurricane, with residents collecting muddy water and gathering whatever food they could. Aid convoys sent by the Jamaican government and international agencies were beginning to reach places like Black River, which Prime Minister Andrew Holness dubbed “ground zero.” Yet even those convoys acknowledged that many roads were still impassable and that people had been without vital supplies since Tuesday. PAHO’s November 2 situation report confirmed that communication remained severely limited and that several roads remained impassable, hampering emergency responders’ ability to reach people in need. With more than 60% of Jamaica without power and thousands of people cut off, the risk of waterborne disease, food poisoning and mosquito‑borne illnesses grows daily.
How you can help
Recovery from Hurricane Melissa will be a marathon, not a sprint. Jamaica’s government estimates that tens of thousands of residents are still in shelters and the death toll will rise as search teams reach remote areas. Greater Good Charities remains committed to supporting both people and animals through this crisis.
Here’s how you can join us:
Donate. Financial contributions allow us to quickly purchase and deliver hygiene supplies, non-pharmaceutical veterinary medical items, pet food, cleaning items and beekeeping supplies to isolated communities.
Share. Amplify this article and others from verified news sources. Keeping Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts in the news helps continue to bring awareness to the aid needed.
Stay informed. Follow updates from reliable news outlets. The situation changes rapidly as access improves and assessments continue.
Greater Good Charities will continue to provide compassionate, essential aid that honors the dignity of people and cares for the animals who depend on us. By working together—governments, nonprofits, volunteers and donors—we can build a world where every life has the chance to recover and thrive after disaster.
