Every gift and every prayer makes a difference. Together, we can help our Jamaican brothers and sisters find hope in the midst of heartbreak.
When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica last week, it unleashed the strongest winds ever recorded in the island’s history, tearing through homes, destroying vital infrastructure and leaving thousands in desperate need. For many Jamaicans, the storm has left a trail of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Amid the devastation, Christian media’s disaster partner Convoy of Hope has been mobilising teams and resources to support survivors in the wake of the Category 5 storm. Working alongside local churches and partners, the organisation has sent truckloads of essential relief supplies, including food, clean water, hygiene kits, and baby care items, to communities hardest hit.
“Convoy of Hope’s first goal is to help meet the immediate needs of the people of Jamaica as quickly as possible,” said Joel A’Bell, National Director of Convoy of Hope in Australia and New Zealand. “But we’re ready to help for the long haul, not just in the days after this disaster, but through the years of recovery that follow.”
For many Jamaicans, the storm has left a trail of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Bishop Michael Grant, a local church leader who was in the United States when the hurricane made landfall, hasn’t yet been able to reach his wife and daughter. Speaking from the Convoy of Hope headquarters, where he witnessed emergency supplies being packed, he expressed deep gratitude that help was on the way.
In Jamaica, over the weekend, more than 10,000 meals were distributed in
Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth Parishes, with additional family food kits and
clean water continuing to reach hard-hit communities like Black River and
Savanna-la-Mar. Additional disaster response team members have deployed
with water filters and critical supplies to support recovery efforts.
In Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Convoy is also assisting affected families
by providing food and hygiene kits to those whose homes were damaged or
destroyed by the storm.
While the scale of devastation is immense, with widespread flooding, destroyed
infrastructure, and ongoing power and water outages, Convoy of Hope remains
committed to staying for the long haul, helping communities rebuild and recover.
“Every gift and every prayer makes a difference. Together, we can help our Jamaican brothers and sisters find hope in the midst of heartbreak,” said A’Bell.
We are deeply grateful to our media partners who have shared updates, called
listeners to pray, and highlighted Convoy of Hope’s response. Your continued
support helps spread awareness and mobilise prayer across the Christian
community in Australia.
Learn more or donate at: www.convoyofhope.org.au