Who we are

Hi there— This fundraising effort is being organized by people who care deeply about the island of Jamaica: a Jamaican on the island, one in the diaspora, and a dear friend of Jamaica. Our names are Peta-Gay Ferguson, Kayonne Christy, and Clayton Covington. We have come together because we are heartbroken by the devastation Hurricane Melissa has caused across the island. Through this fundraiser, we aim to provide direct, immediate support to communities in Westmoreland, one of the hardest-hit parishes, where residents are in urgent need of help.

Hurricane Melissa

On Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a devastating Category 5 storm—one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.

Westmoreland, a parish on the southwestern coast of Jamaica, has been among the areas most severely impacted by storm. Eastern Westmoreland was directly in the hurricane’s path as Melissa made landfall, washing away roads, flooding communities, and collapsing homes, offices, and other critical structures. Communities across the parish remain without power, and are struggling to access clean water, food, and medical supplies. With communication lines still down, families have been unable to reach their loved ones, and the death toll within the parish continues to rise as floodwaters slowly recede and information gradually reaches the rest of the island.

Melissa’s destruction is a stark reminder of how climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, especially across the Global South. Less than two years after Hurricane Beryl (Category 4) struck Jamaica, the island is once again facing unimaginable loss. These events underscore the unequal burdens of a warming planet, borne most heavily by small island nations that contribute least to global emissions.

Where Your Support Goes

Funds raised will support direct community relief in Eastern Westmoreland. We have coordinated directly with trusted local contacts to ensure that all donations are used transparently and reach those most in need. We are working to deliver direct emergency relief to affected communities. These efforts include distributing food, clean water, and clothing; providing temporary shelter for displaced families; restoring communication through Starlink internet kits; and supporting community clean-up and rebuilding initiatives.

How You Can Help

Your support will go directly toward both immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps.

About the Organizers

This fundraiser is being organized by Kayonne Christy, Clayton Covington, and Peta-Gay Ferguson in consultation with MP Dr. Dayton Campbell.

Kayonne Christy is a Jamaican-Canadian PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Michigan. Her dissertation research examines diasporic return migration and urban change in Kingston, Jamaica.

Clayton Covington is a PhD Student in Sociology at Harvard University with a research focus on the political economy of humanitarian intervention and cultural processes of social change in the Caribbean.

Peta-Gay Ferguson is a Jamaican-based community organizer, and the General Secretary of the People's National Party Youth Organization (PNPYO).

Kayonne is currently based in Canada, Clayton in the United States, and Peta-Gay and in Jamaica. Donated funds will support direct relief for residents in eastern Westmoreland, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.