Responding to Hurricane Melissa

The Ascension Trust is raising funds to support the efforts of Operation Save Jamaica (OSJ) – the operational body for Street and School Pastors in Jamaica.

When Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica in 2024, OSJ and others mobilised to distribute 1090 care packages in the first week, distribute 2000 care packages to the communities hardest hit, to help 47 business owners rebuild and start afresh, and to monitor efforts to see what needs are still required to be met. OSJ and partners will be looking to provide the same level of support and service to those hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa.

The Ascension Trust says that 100% of all money raised in this effort will be sent directly to OSJ and used to support those most in need at this time.

The Church of God of Prophesy will liaise with partners in providing immediate relief and humanitarian aid, which are already mobilising resources to provide support and emergency shelter, food, water, sanitation, and medical care to those in urgent need. Together with local churches and trusted partners, the church says it will ensure that aid reaches the affected communities quickly and fairly, and remains fully committed to supporting Jamaica through this crisis and beyond.

The Methodist Church in Britain and Ireland has approved a joint grant of £24,000 from the World Mission Fund to support the Jamaica Methodist District’s relief efforts. It says its partner churches are often the first responders to disasters and emergencies in their context, providing almost immediate aid and spiritual support. The World Mission Fund enables the church to partner with them quickly in this response.

This solidarity grant complements the ongoing Hurricane Melissa Appeal, jointly led by the Methodist Church in Britain and All We Can.

The New Testament Church of God in England and Wales has a Hurricane Melissa Appeal for Jamaica.

During global emergencies, the church works with international organisations such as Christian Aid, Tear Fund, and its International Missions Department. But, in the wake of Hurricane Melissa and the lack of agencies on the ground, the NTCG is partnering with its sister churches and the Jamaican diaspora communities to support the relief efforts in Jamaica.

NTCG is partnering with Jamaica National Banking Group (JN) to transfer the funds raised to deliver emergency supplies, such as food, solar lights, batteries, and essential sanitary products, and to the longer-term redevelopment.

The United Reformed Church, through Commitment for Life (the URC’s world justice programme), has launched an appeal to support both the immediate and long-term needs of affected church communities across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

“The needs are monumental,” said the Revd Dr Gordon Cowans, former Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. “A special church team has been established to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.”

The URC says that the most pressing needs include shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and food. In the coming weeks the focus will shift to the removal of debris and the restoration of basic access. There is also going to be a need for long-term support around reconstruction of homes, recovery of livelihoods, and the restoration of community services. Support will be critical for the URC’s partner church, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.