Food For The Poor Marks One Month Since Hurricane Melissa’s Devastating Strike on Jamaica, Delivering One of the Largest Emergency Responses in its History
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2025) – Almost one month after Hurricane Melissa carved a path of destruction across Jamaica, Food For The Poor (FFTP) continues to lead one of the most extensive humanitarian responses in the charity’s 43-year history, providing life-saving assistance as the country begins the difficult shift from emergency relief to early recovery.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine emphasized that Jamaica remains the organization’s “top and urgent priority,” even as work continues across the region.
“Our approach is simple,” Raine said. “We meet the most urgent needs first, respond with practical, high-impact solutions, and keep going until families have what they need to rebuild their lives.”
Massive Relief Operation: 116+ Shipments, More Than 4 Million Pounds of Aid
Since landfall on October 28, FFTP has moved more than 116 emergency shipments into Jamaica, including airlifts and ocean containers, carrying over 4 million pounds of food, water, hygiene supplies, medical goods, shelter materials, generators, and other essential relief items.
These supplies have supported more than 24,000 families to date.
FFTP’s response is being executed in close coordination with the Government of Jamaica, the Humanitarian Assistance Committee (HAC), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), churches, and numerous international partners.
Raine noted that more than $4 million in direct response costs have already been committed for food, logistics, shipping, vehicle operations, and rapid procurement of locally sourced bulk items.
High-Volume Relief Operations at Scale
In the weeks since the storm:
- • 1,600 volunteers have assisted with packing and distribution
- • Warehouse output now averages 3,500 food kits per day
- • FFTP continues to leverage its logistics and distribution capabilities to help partners reach families nationwide.
Partner contributions include:
- • Water Mission: Co-financing five Living Water Treatment Systems, providing safe water for up to 25,000 people daily for the next three months.
- • World Food Programme: Collaboration to support distribution of 80,000 food kits across the hardest-hit communities.
- • Church networks: Extensive last-mile distribution through hundreds of congregations.
Shelter Support
- • ShelterBox partnership: 2,000 shelter kits for families who lost roofs
- • FFTP has contributed to the tens of thousands of tarps and temporary shelter materials already distributed by various organizations
- • Additional shelter solutions under exploration, including reinforced wood models and hybrid designs
Roof Repair Launch: First Phase Underway
Hurricane Melissa damaged or destroyed thousands of roofs across the island. FFTP has begun an early recovery roof-repair initiative focused on the most heavily affected parishes.
At least 300 roof-repair kits have already been funded and are now deploying in Westmoreland.
While these first deployments mark an important beginning, the overall need is in the tens of thousands. Raine said FFTP urgently needs funds to expand roof repairs at scale, stabilize homes, and keep families safe during the coming months.
Housing Assessment
FFTP has built more than 35,000 wood homes in Jamaica over four decades. After the hurricane, the organization has continued to assess the most heavily impacted communities where it has constructed homes.
As the rebuilding phase begins, Raine said FFTP will seek support to rebuild as many homes as resources allow, prioritizing families with the greatest vulnerability.
To prepare for this long-term effort, FFTP is actively engaged in several significant partnership opportunities that could generate major funding for homebuilding and broader recovery efforts.
Livelihoods: Restoring the Means to Earn a Living
A major focus of FFTP’s emerging recovery strategy is restoring lost livelihoods. Many households have not only lost shelter but also the tools, equipment, and assets needed to earn income.
- • In several coastal communities, the fishing economy was wiped out entirely. Galleon Beach lost all 23 of its boats, with every engine and piece of gear destroyed.
- • Most western farms lost their entire crop cycles, leaving farmers in urgent need of seeds, tools, fertilizer, and basic irrigation supplies to begin replanting.
“These sectors are the backbone of rural economies,” Raine said. “Restoring them will require millions of dollars, but it is essential for long-term recovery.”
Looking Ahead: A Multi-Phase Recovery Commitment
FFTP is preparing a comprehensive recovery strategy that includes:
- • Expanded roof repairs and structural home rehabilitation
- • Rebuilding of schools, clinics, and community centers
- • Restoring agriculture, fishing, beekeeping, and small businesses
- • Strengthening water systems, sanitation infrastructure, and community preparedness
- • Enhancing local disaster-response networks, working with churches
“Families are hurting. But they are strong, resilient, and full of faith,” Raine said. “Every shipment, every volunteer, every donor, and every prayer is helping rebuild hope.”
About Food For The Poor
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]
