KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized its disaster response teams and essential supplies to assist the island nation. The hurricane, one of the most powerful in recorded history, struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching 185 miles per hour. Although it weakened to a Category 3 hurricane by the time it exited Jamaica’s northern coast and moved toward Cuba, the devastation left behind is immense.
Samaritan’s Purse has announced plans to airlift critical relief supplies from its headquarters in North Carolina to Jamaica. The aid package includes community water systems, shelter materials, solar lights, and medical equipment, all aimed at addressing the urgent needs of affected communities. Damion Tripp, the organization’s Medical Operations Manager, emphasized their preparedness in a recent Instagram post, stating, ‘We are loading a lot of tarp, non-food items to help the people of the area. We are also preparing supplies for our airlift programme. We ask that you pray for the people of Jamaica, their safety, health, and wellbeing.’
This initiative is part of Samaritan’s Purse’s ongoing commitment to disaster relief in the Caribbean. The organization has previously provided aid in The Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian and in Haiti after major earthquakes, demonstrating its capacity to respond swiftly to crises in the region. As Jamaica begins its recovery process, the support from Samaritan’s Purse is expected to play a vital role in rebuilding and restoring normalcy for those affected by the storm.