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In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Manchester and St Elizabeth in Jamaica faced severe challenges as they scrambled to secure fuel and essential supplies. On Thursday, a large crowd gathered at the Mid-Island Service Station in Gutters, the only operational fuel station in the area, with cash in hand to refuel vehicles and generators. The Category 5 hurricane has left much of southern Jamaica without power, communication, and access to ATMs, exacerbating the crisis. Patrenia Kennedy, manager of the Mid-Island Service Station, highlighted the critical role of the on-site supermarket in providing food and household essentials, though supplies were rapidly depleting. She noted that while suppliers were en route, items like bread had already run out. Nearby communities remain isolated, with extensive damage to homes, roads, and farmlands. Imran, a resident of Prospect, Manchester, described the situation as dire, urging government officials to assess the devastation firsthand. He emphasized the urgent need for assistance, particularly for families whose children have lost school uniforms and books. The hurricane’s impact has surpassed that of previous storms, leaving residents in desperate need of relief and recovery efforts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of community solidarity, the beloved local eatery Chicken and Tings has joined forces with the global humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) to deliver thousands of hot meals to residents of Kingston and St Andrew devastated by Hurricane Melissa. This unprecedented storm, one of the most severe in Jamaica’s history, has left countless families in dire need of assistance.

In a compassionate response to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Optimum Jamaica has announced a significant initiative to support the Jamaican community. From now until November 30, 2025, Optimum Phone and Optimum Mobile customers in the United States can make free calls and send texts to Jamaica. This effort aims to bridge the emotional and physical distance between families and friends during the island’s recovery process.

Leon Davis, Senior Director and Site General Manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering connections beyond technology. ‘We recognize the emotional strain of being separated from loved ones in times of crisis,’ Davis stated. ‘Our goal is to bring families closer, even across vast distances, by removing communication barriers.’

This initiative is part of Optimum’s broader strategy to enhance community resilience and recovery. By providing free communication services, the company hopes to facilitate emotional support, updates, and reassurance among Jamaicans in the diaspora and their families back home.

Jevaughn Gordon, Communications Manager, highlighted the symbolic importance of the gesture. ‘Optimum stands with Jamaica during this challenging period. We believe that staying connected is a vital part of the healing process,’ Gordon remarked.

In addition to this public offering, Optimum has been actively supporting its internal workforce through welfare checks and communication assistance, ensuring that employees are also cared for during this time. The company’s efforts underscore its dedication to both technological and human connections in the face of adversity.

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.

As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Mystic Thai, a local restaurant, joined forces with the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute meals to homes, shelters, and community centers across the island. The collaboration began well before the storm’s landfall, ensuring that hot meals would be available immediately after the hurricane passed. By October 28, the teams had already delivered meals to four locations, including the National Arena, a day prior to the storm’s arrival. The final batch of meals was distributed early on Tuesday, October 28. WCK emphasized its coordination with local restaurant partners to guarantee meal availability post-hurricane. Mystic Thai’s team worked tirelessly, preparing comforting dishes like chicken curry with rice and salad, which were staged for delivery even as storm shutters were being installed. The restaurant’s directors expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its role in serving vulnerable populations, particularly families in shelters and those displaced by the storm. The joint effort leveraged Mystic Thai’s kitchen and staff alongside WCK’s logistical expertise. As relief operations intensify, Mystic Thai and WCK will continue assessing food needs in affected communities, replenishing kitchens, and adapting meal distribution routes if roads or power are disrupted. This initiative reflects the broader spirit of community resilience in Jamaica, where local businesses and international organizations work together to ensure no one goes without a hot meal during recovery. The effort has garnered recognition, with chefs like James Beard award-winner Andrew Black and Roger Mooking expressing support. Those wishing to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery can do so via supportjamaica.gov.jm.