Relief Efforts Deliver Aid To Hurricane Melissa-Stricken Jamaica Amid $70.8M Insurance Payout

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds up to 185 mph, devastated Jamaica, causing at least 19 deaths and leaving over 60% of the island without power. Rescue teams and aid workers, including Jamaican officials and international groups, are actively delivering essential supplies like food, water, tarpaulins, blankets, and medicine, despite blocked roads and isolated communities relying on unsafe water sources and limited local foods. Health officials warn of increased risks from mosquitoes, waterborne diseases, and food poisoning as the recovery effort continues. The U.S. has dispatched a regional disaster assistance response team, and charities such as Khalsa Aid are mobilizing humanitarian aid from multiple countries, emphasizing the dire need for food, shelter, and water. Additionally, community-based initiatives, such as the Jamaican Association of Bermuda collaborating with BermudAir, are organizing relief flights and collection drives to support affected populations. The widespread destruction includes damaged buildings, disrupted supply chains, and ruined crops, underscoring the scale of the disaster and ongoing challenges in delivering aid.