By: Mariska Meldrum
When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica this week, it unleashed the strongest winds ever recorded in the island’s history, tearing through homes, destroying vital infrastructure and leaving thousands in desperate need.
For many Jamaicans, the storm has left a trail of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Amid the devastation, Christian media’s disaster partner Convoy of Hope is mobilising teams and resources to support survivors in the wake of the Category 5 storm. Working alongside local churches and partners, the organisation is sending truckloads of essential relief supplies, including food, clean water, hygiene kits, and baby care items, to communities hardest hit.
“Convoy of Hope’s first goal is to help meet the immediate needs of the people of Jamaica as quickly as possible,” said Joel A’Bell, National Director of Convoy of Hope in Australia and New Zealand. “But we’re ready to help for the long haul, not just in the days after this disaster, but through the years of recovery that follow.”
For many Jamaicans, the storm has left a trail of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Bishop Michael Grant, a local church leader who was in the United States when the hurricane made landfall, hasn’t yet been able to reach his wife and daughter. Speaking from the Convoy of Hope headquarters, where he witnessed emergency supplies being packed, he expressed deep gratitude that help is already on the way.
“Food is going to be in great demand,” Bishop Grant said. “This hurricane is going to cause serious damage and there will be a shortage of food items. What is comforting is that Convoy of Hope is coming to our rescue. They are prepared to stay with us, to ride it out with us, and to see that we get to the other end.”
Convoy of Hope’s disaster relief teams are no strangers to crisis response. In 2024 alone, the organisation responded to 99 disasters worldwide — including floods in New South Wales, Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand, and multiple hurricanes in the United States. Their mission remains rooted in faith: to deliver practical help and share hope where it’s needed most.
As the people of Jamaica begin the long journey toward recovery, Convoy of Hope is inviting Australians and New Zealanders to join them in prayer and support.
“Every gift and every prayer makes a difference. Together, we can help our Jamaican brothers and sisters find hope in the midst of heartbreak,” said A’Bell.
Learn more or donate at: www.convoyofhope.org.au
Article supplied with thanks to Christian Media & Arts Australia.
Feature image: Supplied
