Beloved Jamaica, you are in our hearts. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has just retreated from Jamaica after causing catastrophic damage across the island. I am Melody Baker, daughter/ sister/ niece/ cousin to local family members in the storm’s path. The impact in many rural areas is still unknown because electricity and communications are down, and we have yet to reach loved ones in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth.

My family’s community, where my father grew up (and uncles, aunts, cousins currently live), was in the path of the storm. Melissa’s eye made landfall in the south western parishes in a town called New Hope and traveled northward over the hills in Westmoreland where my family’s small rural community is. Rural mountain areas like, MackField, will need so much support, and there are likely no organizations that will reach them. Even without a storm like Melissa, on a good day, there is no municipal water source, unpaved roads, and no phone lines. The only community infrastructure in this and other small communities like it are churches.

There is very little information about the impacts on rural Westmoreland yet, but we know Melissa was a direct hit.

In anticipation of the immense need for food, supplies and repair, if you would like to make donations to my family in their rural community, we would appreciate any and all support. I will make sure every dollar goes directly to them to support basic needs, recovery, and rebuilding.