Hurricane Melissa has devastated parts of Jamaica, leaving many families without homes, electricity, or clean water. Among those affected are our dear friends, people we’ve known and loved for years, who have lost nearly everything.

At least three of our friends have confirmed that their homes were completely destroyed. We’ve been unable to reach three others, and fear the worst, as they were directly in the area where the hurricane made landfall. Another friend was at work at the resort where he’s employed when the storm hit, he still doesn’t know if his home survived and cannot contact his mother to find out her safety.

Communication is nearly impossible. Power and water are out, and phone service is unreliable or down entirely. Many areas are flooded and cut off from fallen trees and debris. For now, we’re operating on what little information we can confirm, but it’s clear that they’re facing an unimaginable situation.

We are raising money for them and will be sending the funds directly to their bank accounts as soon as we can safely confirm their details and reach them. Because GoFundMe does not currently operate in Jamaica, I will be listed as the campaign beneficiary, and will personally ensure that all funds are transferred to our friends as intended.

These donations will help them cover whatever they need most in the aftermath: a safe place to stay, food, clothing, medical care, or starting to rebuild their homes. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a tangible difference in helping them recover.

These are hard-working, kind, generous people who have always welcomed us with open arms when we visit Jamaica. Now, they urgently need our help.

These are the friends we’re raising money for and their current known situations:

* Melisa – Home destroyed and flooded

* Rohan – Home destroyed

* Notoya – Home destroyed, tree fallen on it

* Rick – No contact yet

* Davia – No contact yet

* Alicia – Was at her workplace on the resort, home status unknown

* Ronald – Was at his workplace on the resort, home status unknown

* Errol – No contact made

Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser so we can get help to them as quickly as possible. We’ll post updates as soon as we’re able to confirm the safety and needs of each friend. Thank you for your compassion and support.

Every donation truly helps.

About the organiser:

My name is Amanda Weise, and I’m from Loughborough, UK. I’m organising this fundraiser on behalf of our close friends in Jamaica — Melisa, Rohan, Notoya, Rick, Davia, Alicia, Ronald, and Errol — all of whom have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. We’ve know them all personally, some over 11 years through our visits to Southcoast in Jamaica and they’ve become like family to us.

How the funds will be used:

Because GoFundMe doesn’t operate in Jamaica, I’ll be receiving the donations here and then sending the total amount , divided equally between the ones who need help, directly to their bank accounts once we can safely confirm details and make transfers. Every penny raised will go straight to helping them rebuild their lives after this devastating storm.