Samaritan’s Purse, the international aid agency headed by veteran evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, has mobilized its Disaster Assistance Response Team to help Jamaicans suffering after Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean island —the most powerful in the nation’s history since records began in 1851.
The Category 5 hurricane, with the highest rating, hit the island and nearby areas of the Caribbean early morning, Oct. 28.
Officials confirmed 28 known deaths but some communities remain cut off with impassable roads affecting aid efforts, and people taking refuge in shelters. Roads and bridges have been washed away.
At a speed of two miles per hour, the hurricane prolonged destruction with powerful 185 mph (298 km/h) winds and up to 30 inches of rainfall leading to severe flooding and landslides. Parts of the southwest are underwater.
"The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) extends heartfelt sympathy to all Jamaicans who have been affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which brought widespread damage and disruption across several parishes," read a statement by the Office of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
"We recognize the immense emotional and physical toll this event has had on households and communities, and we stand in solidarity with every Jamaican family rebuilding in its aftermath."
Samaritan's Purse has been airlifting tons of supplies to survivors. The Christian aid agency also airlifted its Emergency Field Hospital to the island yesterday (Nov. 2). The 767 cargo plane with the medical unit left the charity’s Airlift Response Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S and landed safely in Jamaica. The facility will be installed in the flattened southwestern coastal town of Black River, which was destroyed.
“Transportation is being organized to deliver the medical unit to Black River, where the local hospital was destroyed and all other buildings were at least damaged in the storm,” confirmed a Samaritan’s Purse news update.
“We are bringing in doctors, nurses, and the entire team it takes to get this hospital up and running—along with all the equipment and supplies we need,” explained Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, about the ongoing critical situation in Jamaica.
“Hospitals, homes, and entire communities have been devastated. We want these people to know that God loves them and we care about what they’re going through. We will also continue distributing emergency supplies like water filters and shelter material.
“Please continue to pray for the people of Jamaica and for our teams as we respond in Jesus’ name.”
It is widely reported that communities have been left without food and western parishes particularly suffered catastrophic damage. Towns saw up to 90 percent of homes either destroyed or roofs ripped off in the powerful storm.
The hurricane also brought down power lines and telecommunications towers, affecting the country’s electricity and communication facilities, such as internet access.
With roads severed and power out, people are desperate for “any kind of help,” according to the Samaritan’s Purse update. Nearly three-quarters of the population remain without power.
“We need everything,” an unnamed resident said.
The charity moved speedily to provide help less than 48 hours after the devastating hurricane made landfall. The first members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team were airlifted to the scene, alongside tons of aid.
Samaritan’s Purse will continue delivering tons of life-saving supplies on its 757, 767, and DC-8 cargo planes. The next flight is due today (Nov. 3) with its DC-8 bringing in community water filtration systems and more tarp, according to the ministry.
The previous airlifts have already brought in community water systems, shelter materials, household water filters, solar lights, hygiene kits, and other supplies. The community water systems can serve 10,000 people per day. Some distributions have already begun, providing hurting communities with water, shelter, and other supplies.
“We are leveraging our full aviation assets in this response, including helicopters to transport team members, do assessments, and bring relief,” stated the Samaritan’s Purse press release. “We are in regular communication with more than 200 church partners as well as community leaders on the ground in Jamaica.
On social media network X, Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer for Samaritan’s Purse and a son of Franklin, explained that the field hospital would help leverage a gap in medical support after one of the island’s hospitals was destroyed and others sustained critical damage.
"Please pray for the people of Jamaica who are greatly suffering,” Edward Graham wrote. “The storm has brought devastating destruction to families and communities across Jamaica, and Samaritan’s Purse is committed to staying until the work is complete.
"Please pray for the people of Jamaica, that they would know they are not forgotten and that God loves them.”
