The scenes that emerged from the Caribbean were devastating. Homes were flattened. Families displaced. Entire neighborhoods left underwater. Hurricane Melissa – one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the region – left a trail of destruction across Haiti, Jamaica and beyond.
Over five million people were affected. Schools, hospitals, and homes were badly damaged or destroyed. Deadly floods and landslides cut off whole communities, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded and isolated without power, food, or clean water.
For those already living in fragile circumstances, the hurricane turned daily survival into a desperate struggle. In Haiti, years of political instability and gang violence had already pushed communities to the brink. In western Jamaica, families who relied on small-scale farming and fishing for their livelihoods were left facing hunger and uncertainty.
In response, World Jewish Relief launched its emergency response within days. Working alongside trusted local partners, we reached the most vulnerable – including older people, people with disabilities, women, and girls – with immediate, life-saving assistance.
Responding to urgent needs
In western Jamaica, where the destruction was most severe, World Jewish Relief worked with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to deliver food packages to over 600 families in desperate need.
In Haiti, our partner Haiti Survie provided cash assistance to 150 families so they could meet their most urgent needs – whether that was buying food, repairing their homes, or accessing medical care. This support was particularly vital for families headed by single mothers, many of whom had already endured the trauma of displacement from the capital.
Aldrin Calixte, Director of Haiti Survie, described the scale of the devastation:
“Communities here were deeply concerned about their future. Many were wondering how they would find a source of income. Agriculture and small trade – the main forms of business – were severely affected, including livestock, crops, fishing and infrastructure.
Some of the families we supported – often headed by a single mother – had been trying to rebuild their lives after leaving everything behind in Port-Au-Prince to escape gang violence. When the hurricane struck, they lost everything once again.
This support offered a real opportunity for families to rebuild their lives and regain their independence. Beyond meeting their basic needs, it allowed them to begin earning an income again. For many, this support symbolised hope for a fresh start and restored dignity after a series of crises.”
Aldrin also reported that houses built to higher standards through previous World Jewish Relief projects withstood Hurricane Melissa’s winds, providing refuge for other families when their homes collapsed.
Your support saved lives
Every donation made a tangible difference – helping us deliver emergency food, cash support, and hygiene kits to restore dignity and stability to those who lost everything.
Our supporters’ generosity helped us act quickly at a critical moment. Thanks to you, families in Haiti and Jamaica received life-saving support when they needed it most.