The CGI Community Preparing for Hurricane Melissa: How You Can Help
**Updated 4:00 PM Thursday October 30**
Consistent with earlier reports, Hurricane Melissa has made landfall and has been devastating across the Caribbean. Pre-deployments and emergency protocols being activated in advance are helping with recovery efforts. However, the record breaking hurricane has caused infrastructure and power damage, and claimed the lives of at least 20 people in Haiti and five in Jamaica. Search and rescue is ongoing.
The Jamaican government has set up supportjamaica.gov.jm that will continue to provide official information, needs lists, and ways to donate. The government and CDEMA urges support that is aligned with the needs of those affected.
Below are some updated ways partners are responding and how you can help.
Afya has staged lifesaving supplies through their partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission. Afya plans to continue to deploy PPE, feminine hygiene kits, and medical supplies as the region recovers.
You can donate to Afya here.
Airlink is sending transportation and humanitarian aid cargo following Hurricane Melissa. Up to $100,000, donations made to Airlink will be matched by Alton Aviation Consultancy.
You can donate to Airlink here.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP)
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is supporting local, national, and international partners providing recovery assistance to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa through its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.
You can donate to CDP here.
GiveDirectly is delivering $650 each to families hit the hardest by Hurricane Melissa. The money will enable families to access their personal essential needs fast, without being reliant on supply chains.
You can donate to GiveDirectly here.
I-DIEM is working with local institutions to build back over the short and long-term. The I-DIEM team emphasizes the need for equity in recovery and has prioritized funding going to both rural and urban areas as they help to rebuild.
You can donate to I-DIEM here.
Mercy Corps is assessing immediate needs as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall – including safe water, shelter materials, and emergency cash assistance – so they can reach affected families as quickly as possible. Mercy Corps is prepositioned through the Caribbean Resilience Initiative (a CGI Commitment to Action), which supports Resilience Hubs equipped with solar power, potable water, connectivity, and emergency supplies to help local communities respond quickly to meet urgent needs during and after a storm.
You can donate to Mercy Corps here.
**Updated 11:00 AM Tuesday October 28**
Across the Caribbean, communities are bracing for torrential rain, flooding, and wind gusts as Hurricane Melissa intensifies. In Jamaica, heavy rainfall threatens low-lying coastal areas, while mountainous regions risk flash flooding and landslides that could cut off roads and damage schools, hospitals, and homes. As the storm approaches and with dozens already injured, emergency shelters are being activated, flood warnings issued, and thousands of households are being placed on alert.
CGI community partners have already begun mobilizing, including pre-positioning critical medical and relief supplies – so they’re already in place to be mobilized quickly after disaster hits.
Below is a snapshot of how CGI members are exercising anticipatory action and preparedness, ready to respond — and how you can help too.
All Hands and Hearts are already on the ground to respond to Hurricane Melissa. They are preparing to deploy volunteer teams to assist with cleanup, home repairs, and rebuilding once conditions are safe.
You can donate to All Hands and Hearts here.
American Friends of Jamaica is supporting local partners and community-based initiatives to assist families affected by Hurricane Melissa. The organization works year-round to strengthen Jamaica through education, healthcare, and economic development.
You can donate to American Friends of Jamaica here.
Americares has positioned emergency response staff and set-up medical supplies to support health facilities in the storm’s path. The organization is coordinating with local partners in Jamaica, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations to deliver medicine, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies.
You can donate to Americares here.
CARE is preparing to respond as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations. The organization is working with the Caribbean Humanitarian Partnership Platform and the Caribbean Gender Alliance, and the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) to provide emergency shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies.
You can donate to CARE here.
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
CDEMA, the region’s lead coordination agency for disaster management, is closely monitoring Hurricane Melissa and coordinating with national disaster offices across member states. The agency has activated its regional coordination plan and issued ongoing situation reports.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Catholic Relief Services is mobilizing support for communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa, with teams ready to deliver shelter materials, food assistance, and hygiene supplies across the Caribbean. The organization’s emergency teams are preparing prepositioned shelter and water and will continue to support the Latin America and Caribbean Emergency Fund.
You can donate to CRS here.
CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)
CORE teams are actively monitoring the storm’s progress and preparing response operations in Jamaica and neighboring regions. With extensive disaster response experience, CORE is coordinating with local partners to assess needs and mobilize emergency resources.
You can donate to CORE here.
Direct Relief is working closely with health facilities across the Caribbean to pre-position emergency medical supplies and coordinate with local ministries of health. With regional staff based in the area, the organization has provided over $3 million in medical aid over the last month.
You can donate to Direct Relief here.
Based in Jamaica, Free Spirit Outreach is rallying local support to aid communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. The organization has been coordinating with partners to provide relief supplies and assist families displaced by flooding.
You can donate to Free Spirit Outreach here.
GlobalGiving has launched a Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund to support vetted local and international partners providing immediate and long-term recovery assistance.
You can donate to GlobalGiving here.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
The IFRC and its national societies are distributing supplies in advance, conducting early warning outreach, and supporting evacuation and shelter management efforts across the Caribbean. The IFRC emphasizes that community preparation is key to saving lives.
You can donate to IFRC here.
The International Medical Corps has emergency response teams on standby across Jamaica and the Caribbean, working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to deliver medical care, mental health support, and relief supplies. The organization previously provided disaster relief support following Hurricane Beryl.
You can donate to the International Medical Corps here.
World Central Kitchen has activated its response efforts for Hurricane Melissa, coordinating with local partners to help feed those affected in the Caribbean. WCK previously responded to Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica in 2024.
You can donate to WCK here.
The World Food Programme is coordinating with local governments and partners to provide food and logistical support to communities most at risk. Throughout the Caribbean, the organization is focused on early action. They have partnered with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to dispatch telecommunications and help with general supply chain management.
You can donate to WFP here.