FFTP Advances Long-Term Recovery in Jamaica Four Months After Hurricane Melissa
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 11, 2026) — Four months after Hurricane Melissa struck western Jamaica, Food For The Poor (FFTP) continues recovery efforts across the island, shifting from emergency relief toward long-term rebuilding that helps families restore homes, livelihoods, and stability.
While emergency needs were addressed in the storm’s immediate aftermath, many communities still face housing damage, disrupted incomes, and limited access to essential services.
Since the storm, FFTP has delivered more than $10 million in aid to Jamaica, including food, hygiene supplies, medical support, and building materials distributed through local partners.
Recovery efforts to date include:
- • 214 ocean containers and 21 air shipments of relief supplies delivered
- • 125,115 relief kits distributed, including 85,014 food kits and 40,101 hygiene kits
- • 85,014+ families assisted across storm-affected communities
- • 150+ roofs and community structures repaired
- • 3,000+ volunteers mobilized, contributing more than 4,190 hours of service and packing nearly 137,000 kits
“What matters most is staying present after the headlines fade,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “Families need consistent support as they rebuild, and that is the commitment guiding our work in Jamaica.”
Recovery initiatives now focus on community-based programs addressing health care, housing, education, and livelihoods.
In Hanover Parish, a January health fair served approximately 500 residents from five surrounding communities, offering medical, dental, vision, and mental health care, along with spiritual support. Families also received food assistance and care kits.
In St. Elizabeth Parish, FFTP helped 12 beekeepers restart their livelihoods after thousands of beehives were destroyed by the hurricane. Replacement hives, bees, and equipment are enabling farmers to resume honey production and generate income again. One farmer harvested over 120 gallons of honey.
Along the southern coast at Galleon Beach, repairs to 18 fishing boats and engines allowed fishermen to return to sea, restoring both livelihoods and access to fresh food for local communities.
Housing repairs continue in storm-affected communities, with families receiving new roofs and structural repairs that allow them to remain safe in their homes. FFTP also supported repairs at Crawford Infant Primary School, originally built by the organization, restoring damaged roofing and interior areas so students could safely return to class.
As Jamaica’s national recovery efforts evolve, FFTP continues to work in coordination with government and local partners to assess how best to support longer-term school reconstruction efforts.
These long-term recovery efforts recently became part of a larger creative initiative aimed at raising awareness and support for rebuilding in Jamaica .
During a January visit, a production team captured several “magic moments” of FFTP’s work in communities across the island for the Jam for Jamaica music project.
Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the 1985 hit “We Are the World,” Jam for Jamaica will re-record Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved,” with multiple artists each performing a line of the song. Proceeds from the project will support FFTP’s ongoing recovery work in Jamaica.
Scenes filmed for the project highlight the very programs helping communities rebuild today. At Crawford Infant Primary School, students sang “One Love” as part of the filming.
“Even after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, what stands out most is the resilience of the Jamaican people,” said Mark Khouri, EVP of Key Relationships and Donor Stewardship. “We saw farmers restarting their bee farms, fishermen repairing their boats, and families rebuilding their homes. These are the moments that show recovery is already underway.”
The charity’s work in Jamaica is carried out in partnership with more than 70 local and international organizations, parish priests, and community leaders, leveraging long-standing relationships to support recovery efforts that will continue into 2026.
Regional solidarity also has played an important role in the response.
In November 2025, the Government of Puerto Rico launched Puerto Rico Embraces Jamaica, a humanitarian initiative led by the Puerto Rico Department of State to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Donations of nonperishable food, hygiene items, bedding, and baby supplies filled 14 shipping containers, all delivered to FFTP-Jamaica’s warehouse and distributed to families in December.
The initiative was led by Rosachely Rivera Santana, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State, who traveled to Jamaica to witness the impact firsthand and participate in community distributions alongside FFTP.
Building on these efforts, FFTP has launched the Jamaica Rebuild Campaign, a multi-phase housing initiative designed to address long-term shelter needs. Initial plans include 50 new homes in the Petersfield area, pending final land approvals, with an additional 25 homes already funded.
The campaign begins with a $1 million seed phase, with expansion planned during the Lenten season. Discussions are underway with major institutional, faith-based, and international partners to further scale housing reconstruction.
Through June 30, donor gifts toward long-term recovery efforts in Jamaica will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution.
“Every home rebuilt represents a family taking a step forward,” Raine said. “That is why we remain committed to Jamaica’s recovery beyond the initial emergency.”
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
