Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest storms to hit the Caribbean in recent history, leaving thousands displaced, in the dark, and at least 44 dead. The storm hit Jamaica on Tuesday, marking the first time the island nation has faced a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph impacting up to 1.5 million people.

Though the storm has weakened over the last few days, Hurricane Melissa caused “extensive damage” and flooding, destroying hospitals, churches and homes.

According to USA Today, humanitarian organizations are pursuing relief efforts and already preparing for long-term recovery after the storm. Here’s how you can support the work to help those impacted by Melissa.

Airlink

For the past 15 years, global humanitarian organization Airlink has responded to disasters and is working with partners to coordinate the movement of aid and relief workers to Jamaica amid widespread airport closures. The organization is accepting donations of cash, frequent flyer miles and cryptocurrency to support efforts.

The American Friends of Jamaica

The American Friends of Jamaica is a New York-based nonprofit that’s assisted the island nation since 1982. Its board of directors is matching donations up to $1 million “to support critical relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica” needed after Melissa.

Americares

Since its founding in 1979, Americares has provided over $24 billion in aid to 164 countries and announced its preparation plans to respond in a news release before Melissa struck.

“Americares is ready to provide critically needed medicines and relief supplies as well as emergency funding to restore health services in affected communities. At the same time, the global health and disaster relief organization is preparing to send an emergency response team to the region. The team plans to deploy as soon as the storm passes and it’s safe to travel.”

CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere)

CARE, an international humanitarian organization focused on anti-hunger and anti-poverty efforts, said in a statement that it “will prioritize cash assistance to help families meet essential needs.” The organization also has teams in Haiti working to identify and provide immediate support, including “first aid, hygiene supplies, emergency food rations, water and water treatment kits and other shelter supplies.”

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)

The Los Angeles-headquartered nonprofit CORE, which has provided support to the Caribbean following past storms, has deployed air cargo ships carrying hygiene kits, tarps, and essential relief supplies to Jamaica, with the backing of partner LIFT. The nonprofit also noted that it’s preparing to deploy resources in Haiti “as soon as conditions allow.”

Direct Relief

Direct Relief, an international humanitarian aid organization, has committed an initial $250,000 in emergency funding and made its entire inventory of medicines and medical supplies available to support communities in Jamaica impacted by the storm and other affected countries. It also dispatched medical aid, including 100 field medic packs and 250 hygiene kits, to the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica.

Footprint Project

Footprint Project, a New Orleans-based solar energy nonprofit, is prepared to ship more than 150 portable solar and battery power stations to Jamaica. Footprint Project is accepting cash and equipment donations; contact give@footprintproject.org for more information regarding equipment donations.

GlobalGiving

Crowdfunding nonprofit organization GlobalGiving is seeking support to provide search-and-rescue assistance, medical care, food, clean water, and temporary shelter to countries impacted by Melissa.

Good360

Virginia-based nonprofit Good360, which has partnered with vetted local nonprofits to provide disaster recovery, is working “to assess needs on the ground and deploy pre-positioned supplies, generators, shelter materials, and other essentials,” it noted in a news release.

“Our team is deeply committed to supporting affected communities during this challenging time,” Good360 CEO Cinira Baldi said. “We are working closely with our nonprofit partners and corporate donors to ensure that urgently needed goods are delivered to where they’re most needed.”

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps is working closely with local authorities in Jamaica to coordinate relief efforts and provide emergency medical teams, supplies and equipment as soon as conditions permit.

Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere)

Project HOPE, an international health and humanitarian aid organization, has an emergency response team ready to respond to urgent health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and mental health needs in Jamaica “once the storm passes,” Arlan Fuller, Project HOPE’s director of emergency preparedness and response, said in a news release.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is mobilizing to provide immediate relief by delivering food, shelter and care to those affected by Melissa.

United Way

United Way is also working to provide food, water and shelter for those impacted by Melissa across the Caribbean.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen stated it was in Jamaica ahead of Melissa’s landfall and “working with local partners to begin serving meals as quickly as possible to families impacted by the storm.”

World Food Programme

The United Nations’ World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, is providing emergency food rations to feed hundreds of thousands of people in Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

“Coordination is ongoing with the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF and others to move humanitarian supplies by air and sea,” Brian Bogart, who leads WFP’s Caribbean Multi-Country Office in Barbados, said in a news release of stocks prepositioned there.
The post Hurricane Melissa Relief: Here’s How To Help Those In The Caribbean Impacted By The Storm appeared first on Blavity.



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