Food For The Poor Leads National Disaster Relief Effort in Jamaica

FFTP Serves as the Backbone of Emergency Logistics Network Following Hurricane Melissa

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2025) – As Jamaica continues to recover from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Food For The Poor (FFTP) has emerged as the central distribution backbone in the country’s national relief network — coordinating government, military, and humanitarian partners to deliver food, clean water, and critical supplies to cut-off communities.

In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and the Humanitarian Assistance Committee (HAC) under the Ministry of Labour and Social Services (MLSS), FFTP is managing logistical operations to ensure life-saving aid reaches families stranded by flooding and landslides.

Today, FFTP is on a coordinated relief convoy with Jamaican music superstar Sean Paul, the Jamaica Public Service and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and en route to Scott’s Cove, Petersville and Bluefields in Westmoreland, delivering food kits and essential relief supplies to families in heavily affected communities. Paul has pledged to match up to $50,000 donations to FFTP-Jamaica.

Meanwhile, in South Florida, Grammy Award-winning artist Cedella Marley joined 30 students from North Broward Preparatory School and Parkridge Christian Academy at FFTP’s headquarters to pack more than 1,600 hygiene kits for families in need.

“This is what it means to show up for one another,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine, speaking from Jamaica. “Food For The Poor has become the connective tissue of Jamaica’s disaster response, linking government, NGOs, and church networks to the people who need help most. Our mission is to deliver hope under pressure. In moments like this, it’s all of us choosing to care and to act.”

National Coordination and Airlift Operations

The coordinated response, directed by Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister through the HAC, positions FFTP as a lead logistics solutions partner.

• • FFTP is now providing the supply chain for all helicopter operations, including U.S. Chinook helicopters capable of carrying up to 26,000 pounds, but also Jamaica Defence Force aircraft. The helicopters are airlifting food and water into isolated western parishes.
• • WFP Mobile Storage Units in Kingston serve as central logistics points, while FFTP oversees local staging, tracking, and distribution to government-designated hubs.
• • To date, 53 containers of emergency goods and 14 airfreight shipments totaling 1,268 pallets have been moved, including food, medical supplies and hospital beds, and non-food items such as hygiene kits, mattresses, tarps and building materials from supporting partners relying on FFTP’s logistics network.
• • 1,900 new food kits were packed by FFTP-Jamaica team members and volunteers at the Spanish Town warehouse on Tuesday and hundreds of additional kits are being packed daily.

Unified Church and Community Network

To reach families in remote areas, FFTP has activated its nationwide network of thousands of churches, working through umbrella faith organizations to manage last-mile distribution and needs assessments. Last-mile distribution refers to the final step to deliver emergency aid to families in some of Jamaica’s remote and hardest hit areas.

“The church has become our strongest national partner,” Raine said. “They are the eyes, ears, and hands in communities where no one else can reach. Food For The Poor keeps that network supplied, connected, and focused on hope.”

Partnerships Driving the Response

FFTP’s coordinated operations integrate the work of:

• • World Central Kitchen – Food aid and cooking equipment for community kitchens.
• • Wisynco – major role in providing water and drinks for the relief effort.
• • Water Mission – Purification systems restoring access to clean water with support from Jamaica’s National Water Commission.
• • Americares, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Feed My Starving Children, Harvest Time International, Heart to Heart International, Hospital Sisters Mission, Jezreel, LRP, MAP International, Matthew 25: Ministries, Midwest Mission, World of Giving – Donated goods, supplies, and logistical support.
• • Airlink and Amerijet – Air transport logistics connecting South Florida donors with Jamaica’s ports and airports.
• • South Florida cities – Lauderhill, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, Coral Springs, and Fort Lauderdale in Broward, and Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County – are holding donation drives for food and hygiene supplies.

Transitioning from Relief to Recovery

While emergency operations continue, FFTP is preparing to support the government’s next phase – the Post-Family Recovery Plan – to help displaced families transition from shelters to temporary housing and eventual reconstruction.

FFTP’s program and logistics teams are working with ShelterBox, UN Shelter Cluster, and Jamaica Social Development Commission to design sustainable shelter and roof-repair initiatives.

“We’re not just responding,” Raine said. “We’re helping Jamaica recover with precision. Our goal is to move from crisis to restoration and to provide both immediate aid and long-term hope.”

Donation Drive Underway

FFTP is collecting the following relief supplies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the FFTP warehouse, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.

• Hygiene supplies, such as soap, deodorant, and wash cloths
• Tarps
• Solar lanterns
• Blankets
• Water boots
• Diapers for children and adults
• Feminine hygiene products
• Children’s activity books and games

Nonperishable food Items (at least nine months before expiration)
• Vegetables: Canned tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, green beans, spinach, and mixed vegetables
• Fruits: Canned peaches, pineapple, mango, pears, and similar varieties
• Protein: Canned chicken, turkey, beef, fish, or dehydrated meat
• Dry Grains: Rice, beans, lentils, and peas
• Cereals: Wheat, cornmeal, oats, and pasta
• Nuts, Seeds, and Nut Butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter
• Vegetable Oil: Cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower)
• Milk Products: Boxed or powdered milk, fortified alternatives (shelf-stable)
• Ready-to-Eat Snacks: Nutritional biscuits, energy bars, or fortified snacks
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, seasoning blends, and stock cubes

Other Ways to Help

• Donations can be made securely at www.foodforthepoor.org/melissa.

• An Amazon charity list of urgently needed supplies is available at www.www.foodforthepoor.org/melissalist.

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]