Hit hard by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa and its winds over 180 mph, sections of Jamaica have been left in ruin with many structures and roads destroyed.
Though authorities do not yet have a full reckoning of the loss of life and damage, the island nation will likely require months and possibly even years of recovery efforts.
Countries from around the world are pledging support and Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement saying the United States has sent rescue-and-response teams to the areas affected by the hurricane, but there are ways you can help as well.
Here are several local organizations and municipalities, along with national organizations, that are contributing to the relief effort:
Local Organizations
City of Riviera Beach: The city is collaborating with local organizations, faith-based partners, and international relief agencies to deliver assistance where it’s needed most. Efforts include supplying food, water, hygiene, and medical resources, supporting displaced families and impacted communities, long-term rebuilding and recovery initiatives. There are also links to donate money safely.
Details: City of Riviera Beach. rivierabch.com/Melissainfo
Place of Hope: The organization is collecting nonperishable food items and can openers, charcoal, first-aid kits, toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, and garbage bags, tarps and portable cell phone chargers at their Sam & Connie Frankino KidSanctuary Campus Compassion Center.
Details: 432 Safe Haven Drive, West Palm Beach. 561-775-7195 placeofhope.com/kid-sanctuary
Free Spirit Outreach: Free Spirit is collecting bedding, blankets, ready-to-eat food, canned goods and money. The West Palm Beach-based ministry has people in Jamaica already providing assistance.
Details: 2300 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-600-8817; freespiritoutreach.org
Living Well Community Center: The Boynton Beach nonprofit is collecting money, donations and supplies including first-aid kits, food items, generators and medical supplies including blood pressure and Accu-chek machines. They are also sending a team of medical professionals to the island.
Details: 8200 Jog Road, Boynton Beach. 561-358-1722; livingwellcommunitycarecenter.org
National Organizations
Catholic Relief Services: The organization is committing $1 million to relief efforts and is seeking donations. crs.org/donate/hurricane-melissa
American Friends of Jamaica: They just announced a $1 million dollar matching fund to support relief and recovery efforts. theafj.org
Direct Relief: The group has set up a link to donate directly to their Hurricane Melissa Response. donate.directrelief.org/give
Project Hope: The organization already has teams on the ground in Jamaica and has set up a link to donate directly to this effort. give.projecthope.org/page/FY25_Melissa
Send Relief: This collaboration between the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board is the Southern Baptists’ global compassion ministry. It has set up a direct link for relief efforts. sendrelief.org/projects/hurricane-melissa
Global Giving: Their Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund will directly support emergency relief efforts in Jamaica as well as Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas. globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-melissa
World Food Program USA: They have set up a direct contribution and share link on their website for Hurricane Melissa relief. donate.wfpusa.org/page/Hurricane
CARE: The organization has a direct link on its homepage for providing relief to residents of Jamaica and other Caribbean nations affected. care.org/site/Donation
GiveDirectly: This group is known for giving cash directly to people living in poverty and has a direct link for helping victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. givedirectly.org/hurricanemelissa
Americares: The group will offer direct assistance to residents of Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa and is deploying teams to the island nation. americares.org/emergency-program/hurricane
Salvation Army: give.salvationarmyusa.org
American Red Cross: redcross.org/donate/donation
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane Melissa devastated areas of Jamaica. How you can help
