Hi, I am Dr. Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey, President of The Jamaican Association of Australia. We are urgently appealing to members Jamaican diaspora, family, friends and well wishers in Australia and the Asia Pacific region to stand in solidarity with the people of Jamaica following the most powerful storm in the island's history: Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaica has been declared a "disaster area" by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, with the island now facing "devastating impacts" in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Melissa made landfall as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, bringing 185 mph winds and gusts up to an estimated 200 mph ($322 \text{ km/h})$ in mountainous regions—a level of destruction that has caused significant building and public infrastructure destruction in some parts of the country. The storm has swept away livelihoods. Heavy floodwaters have submerged communities, including the vital agricultural region of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica's "breadbasket," which is now "underwater." Winds have torn roofs off buildings, and critical infrastructure has been crippled by landslides, fallen trees, and numerous power and internet outages.
The Urgent Need: As the people of Jamaica wake up to assess the full scale of the damage, they are immediately grappling with the need for shelter, clean water, food, and medical attention. The cleanup and recovery will be slow and monumental.
Our Commitment to Trusted Relief: In these critical hours, the Jamaican Association of Australia, together with our partners like the Jamaican Association of Queensland (JAQ), CaribVic, and the Perth Caribbean Association, is moving swiftly to be the most trusted conduit between the generosity of the Australian diaspora and the official recovery channels in Jamaica. We are ensuring every dollar bypasses delays and hits the ground where it can save lives. This GoFundMe page provides a secure and efficient way for family, friends, and supporters in the Australia and Asia Pacific region to help. Your donation will be channeled directly to the Government of Jamaica's Official Emergency Relief Channel for disaster relief. This ensures that every dollar contributes to the coordinated, official national recovery effort, targeting the most critical needs on the ground. Our goal is to ensure the funds reach the officially recognised channels that are leading the recovery, guaranteeing your generosity has the maximum impact.
We are calling on our diaspora and friends of Jamaica to lend a helping hand in this moment of extreme need. Every donation, no matter the size, will provide a lifeline to those who have lost everything to this unprecedented storm.
Pledge Your Support Today. Help Jamaica Rebuild.
Please donate now and share this page widely. Let's show the strength and heart of the global Jamaican community.
Thank you for standing with Jamaica. One love.