At least 28 people are dead and entire communities have been destroyed after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, with relief organizations now racing to reach isolated areas days after the devastating storm.
Mercy Chefs, a disaster relief organization, has established operations on Jamaica’s west side in St. Elizabeth, an area that had received minimal assistance until now, according to the organization’s founder and CEO Gary LeBlanc.
“As our team began to get further and further into ground zero, where the storm went across Jamaica, it was pretty startling for them,” LeBlanc said.
The disaster’s impact spans beyond individual neighborhoods, affecting the entire island. Access to affected areas remains severely limited, with LeBlanc describing extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
“Trees are down. Power lines are down debris is all over the roads,” LeBlanc said. “It was very difficult to get in there. The first day there was only one way in and there were four and a half hour military roadblocks.”
Since arriving Thursday night and setting up their kitchen this weekend, Mercy Chefs has provided meals to thousands of residents. The organization is preparing familiar local dishes such as jerk chicken, rice, and beans, while also distributing groceries to help families begin their recovery.
LeBlanc, whose team has responded to major disasters worldwide for two decades, said the devastation in Jamaica has truly shocked them. Many survivors arrive at their feeding stations displaying signs of confusion and trauma.
“Hope is going to come. But hope’s not here yet,” LeBlanc said. “Most people are just still in shock. They haven’t even had that opportunity to contemplate what just happened to them, their home, and their island.”
How to Help
The organization plans to maintain its presence in Jamaica as long as needed, similar to its ongoing year-long operation in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
LeBlanc emphasized that, beyond financial support, the people of Jamaica are concerned about being forgotten as global attention shifts elsewhere. Those wishing to support Mercy Chefs’ efforts in Jamaica can donate directly through their website at https://mercychefs.com/donation.
The organization requests prayers for the affected communities and asks the global community to remember that Jamaica’s recovery will require sustained support and attention.