Summary:
Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction in Jamaica, especially in Montego Bay. SOS Children’s Villages acted quickly to keep children and staff safe, relocating 29 children from Montego Bay to Stony Hill and providing emergency support including shelter, food, and mental health care.
Recovery is underway: repairing homes, restoring services, and introducing mental health programmes. Meanwhile, long-term plans focus on resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
We’d like to express our continued gratitude to all our supporters. Thanks to your support, children continue to receive the care and stability they need during this challenging time.
The impact of Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica continues to grapple with the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in the nation’s history. Communities are facing immense loss, with families displaced and essential services disrupted.
Amid this crisis, SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica responded immediately to protect children and young people in its care.
“Our top priority has been ensuring the safety, security and wellbeing of the children and young people in our SOS programmes, especially those in Montego Bay, which was severely affected,” says Marjorie Elliott, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica.
Protecting children and young people amid crisis
Severe damage to homes left children and young people facing both physical danger and emotional distress. Staff members were also personally affected, with some losing homes and others cut off from family. SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica quickly completed emergency assessments and coordinated with national authorities to restore basic services.
When conditions worsened in Montego Bay, 29 children and young people were safely relocated to Stony Hill. Homes there were rapidly prepared, equipped and staffed, ensuring children had beds, clothing, sanitary items, food, educational materials and mental health support from the moment they arrived. Staff also received counselling and practical assistance.
None of this is possible without your support
These emergency interventions have required significant financial resources, supported through emergency donations and contributions from staff and supporters.
We’d like to thank every single person who’s donated and shown support. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to continue supporting children and families, even in unimaginably challenging circumstances.
Restoring stability and protecting futures
With immediate safety ensured, efforts are now focused on restoring stability across affected communities. Repair work is under way to rehabilitate family houses in Montego Bay, restore water and sanitation systems, and clear debris from access routes.
Temporary learning spaces have also been established to help ensure children can continue their education.
At the same time, SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is introducing a structured mental health support programme to help children, young people and staff, as they process their experiences and regain a sense of emotional safety.
“Above all, our commitment is unwavering, the wellbeing of our children and staff guides every decision as we rebuild and recover,” says Ms Elliott.
Long-term recovery for stronger, safer communities
Full recovery from Hurricane Melissa will require sustained investment. Long-term plans include rehabilitating family houses, learning spaces and village infrastructure, strengthening access roads in collaboration with parish authorities, and introducing flood-resilient measures such as improved drainage, raised flooring and protective barriers. There are also plans to update evacuation plans, reunification procedures and disaster-preparedness drills, while exploring backup energy solutions, such as solar lighting, to support resilience in future emergencies.
Recognising that the hurricane’s impact extends far beyond SOS Children’s Villages’ programme locations, SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is also supporting surrounding communities that have been impacted.
This includes distributing essential items to families in St James and delivering on-site emotional support in partnership with Family Life Ministries International and other counselling organisations.
Standing together for Jamaica’s recovery
Although the path to recovery will be long, communities across Jamaica have shown extraordinary resilience. Thanks to the dedication of caregivers, staff, partners, volunteers, and donors, children and young people continue to receive the protection and stability they need during this challenging time.
SOS Children’s Villages remains committed to ensuring that children grow up with the stability, care and opportunities they need to thrive. In a message of solidarity to children and young people, Ms Elliott said: “Together we will move forward, heal and grow stronger than before…You are cared for. You are supported. You will not face this journey alone.”
Donate to our Emergencies Fund
By giving to our Emergencies Fund today, you will help us reach children and families caught in crises like this – wherever and whenever the need is greatest.
