Hurricane Melissa one year later
Hurricane Melissa, one year later: How more than $25 million is helping families rebuild
One year ago, Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm, bringing destructive flooding and widespread damage to several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and Haiti. Families lost homes, schools and livelihoods, and faced a long road back.
In the days that followed, people around the world turned to GoFundMe to help. Since Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025, more than $25 million has been raised on GoFundMe to support people and communities impacted by the storm, thanks to over 250,000 donors across more than 145 countries.
A year later, the updates organizers are posting, which can be seen in the activity feed on the centralized hub, tell the story of a recovery measured in roofs, walls, school years, and support for nonprofits.
“We’re Finally Home”
For Jhanelle Francis, the road home took months. After the storm, she began a GoFundMe to rebuild her family home, and donors have helped raise more than $13,000. Earlier this year, she celebrated getting the lights back on, and more recently, she shared the news she had been waiting for.
“We’re Finally Home! It is hard to put into words what it feels like to finally be back home after over 8 months away.”
Rebuilding, one roof at a time
Across Jamaica, progress is showing up in small, hard-won milestones. Toni-Ann Daley, who is rebuilding after the storm, wrote this month that a major repair is finally done.
“A delayed update but almost a year later, the roof has finally been repaired! There’s still more interior work to be done but we’re happy this major piece is complete.”
In Westmoreland, a fundraiser to rebuild Sister Ilive’s home has raised more than $53,000. Organizer Angelica Simmons says construction is underway.
“We’re excited to share that construction has officially begun! The foundation is complete, and the walls and door frames are now underway.”
In Black River, Cornelius Colin McNab shared videos of the roof going back on his uncle’s home, the first visible progress since the storm.
“The new roof is now beginning to take shape, and for the first time since the storm, there is a real sense that this house can become a home again…What makes this moment so meaningful is that this progress would not have been possible without you.”
And Cassel Clayton, who is raising funds to help Cia Clayton and her mom build a new home, has posted updates as the materials arrived, the concrete was poured and the walls began to rise.
“The walls are now going up, and we are one step closer to having a safe and comfortable place to call home.”
Still picking up the pieces
For many, recovery is far from over. John Hudspeth organized a fundraiser for 35 Jamaican seasonal workers at The Homestead Resort and their families, which has raised more than $61,000. He recently reminded donors why the work continues.
“It is easy for disaster recovery to fade from the headlines, but as this recent news segment highlights, many families are still living under tarps and picking up the pieces.”
Organizers in St. Elizabeth echo that. Toussaint Lewis, who distributed food, care packets and roofing materials with donations, wrote:
“There is still work to do and your continued generosity is greatly appreciated.”
Helping students and neighbors
Recovery has also meant getting children back to school. Hugh Roberts, who organized a fundraiser for Bunker’s Hill in Trelawny, reported that donated clothing, shoes and school supplies reached the community and its primary school this summer.
Some fundraisers have grown into something longer-term. Coreene Mcgregor’s campaign, Rebuilding Hope: Scholarships & Assistance for Jamaica, awarded 10 scholarships to 9 students starting high school this summer.
“What began as a fundraiser to help families in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa has grown into an ongoing commitment to supporting students and others in need.”
Nonprofits on the ground
Nonprofits and high-profile supporters are carrying the work too. Within days of landfall, 21 Savage’s Leading by Example Foundation, with co-organizers including Aljamain Sterling and Maxi Priest, launched The Bob and Rita Marley Foundation Relief Fund. It has raised more than $270,000 for relief through the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, including roofing kits for Jamaican families.
- The Salvation Army distributed more than 133,000 meal kits in the aftermath of the storm, along with food, hygiene supplies and emergency assistance for thousands of survivors. Today, it is helping several hundred households in Jamaica repair storm-damaged homes.
- GEM has completed 481 home roof repairs, set up 33 temporary classrooms and repaired roofs at 13 schools to date. People in Western Jamaica still need roof repairs, and there is an urgent need for school repairs and temporary classrooms where buildings are too damaged to be fixed quickly.
- Americares sent an emergency team and a mobile clinic to Jamaica within days of the storm. The 16-person team of physicians, nurses and mental health professionals provided free primary care and mental health support in Chester Castle, about 25 miles from where Melissa made landfall, including 826 consultations, 800 prescribed medications and 110 mental health interventions. The team worked on the grounds of a maternal health center and began planning repairs to it.
- All Hands & Hearts has provided roofing kits to 349 households, issued $350 hardware store vouchers to 969 households, put 201 people to work through its Cash for Work program, trained about 3,400 people in Build Back Safer principles and awarded 40 small business grants.
How you can help
Hurricane Melissa may be a year behind us, but for many families, rebuilding is still underway. You can donate to or share a verified fundraiser on the Hurricane Melissa Relief Hub, or give to a nonprofit providing on-the-ground relief.
Together, we can keep showing up, long after headlines fade.