St Elizabeth, Jamaica — Known as Jamaica’s breadbasket for decades, the parish of St Elizabeth now lies in ruins following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The Category 5 storm, with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, has left a trail of destruction across the region, transforming once-lush farmlands into rubble and displacing countless families. Among those grappling with the devastation is Sheldon Evans, a pastor with deep roots in the area, who is leading relief efforts to aid his community. Evans, who heads Evangelism Family Life Ministries (EFLM) with branches in New York and Jamaica, described the situation as dire, with many residents struggling to find shelter, food, and basic necessities. Over 20 volunteers, spearheaded by Pastor Heather White Davis, are on the ground in St Elizabeth, distributing essential supplies such as non-perishable food and water. The relief drive has garnered support from Caribbean Pastors United, Irie Jam Radio, Caribbean Power Jam Radio, and Favor FM Radio. Evans, born in the heavily impacted town of Santa Cruz, emphasized the emotional toll of witnessing his homeland’s suffering. ‘As a son of this parish and a clergy member, I’m passionate about lending a hand both spiritual and natural,’ he said. ‘It’s important to come together to support our community’s resilience and rebuild stronger than ever!’ The hurricane’s impact extended beyond St Elizabeth, causing significant damage to homes, hospitals, and roads in Westmoreland, St James, St Ann, Trelawny, Manchester, and Clarendon. The Ministry of Information has confirmed 32 fatalities resulting from the storm.