Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 storm — the strongest ever to hit Jamaica — leaving behind catastrophic destruction. Homes were destroyed, roads washed away, and power grids shattered. As of Friday, October 31, the death toll across the Northern Caribbean has risen to fifty, according to USA Today, with the full scope of damage still unfolding.
The storm’s path tore through Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, impacting millions. In Jamaica alone, nearly 77% of the island remains without power, Jamaican Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon told TODAY. In response, the Government of Jamaica has launched a dedicated aid platform to help coordinate relief efforts, mobilize resources, and channel donations directly toward families and communities most affected.
The U.S. Department of State has also announced its support, deploying a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team to aid with search-and-rescue operations, deliver food, water, medical supplies, and collaborate with UN agencies and local partners.
Celebrities native to Jamaica, like Sheryl Lee Ralph, have also spoken out, urging the global community to step up. The humanitarian organization WalkGood LA, founded by her son Etienne Maurice, daughter Ivy Coco Maurice, and niece Marley Ralph, is at the ready, raising funds to aid in relief.
Known for blending culture, activism, and healing, WalkGood LA ensures 100% of donations go directly to trusted local partners providing on-the-ground support, providing everything from food and water to temporary shelter and rebuilding supplies. The group has a proven record of stepping up in times of crisis, having mobilized relief for Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica, the LA wildfires, the Houston floods, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Other organizations also accepting donations and offering aid include:
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Providing emergency supplies and child protection services.
American Friends of Jamaica – Supporting recovery and community rebuilding efforts.
CARE – Delivering food, clean water, and health resources across affected islands.
Recovery will take time, but solidarity makes a difference. Whether you give, share verified fundraisers, or spread awareness, every act of care helps the Caribbean stand strong again.