RELIEF + RENEWAL FOR JAMAICA
AFTER HURRICANE MELISSA
On October 28th 2025, Hurricane Melissa roared across Jamaica with unimaginable wind speeds of 185mph. At the end of hurricane season, when the seas should have been cool, the unnaturally warm Caribbean Sea powered Melissa into a 200-mile wide Category 5 hurricane - one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record since recording started over 100 years ago. It battered our 146 mile-wide island with devastating flooding, landslides, flattening buildings and damaging infrastructure in over 70% of the country. The amount of work it will take to return Jamaica to the paradise many of you remember and cherish will take every kind of assistance we can get.
NB. All photos are screenshots from each fundraisers pages or sites. Instagram feeds are also provided for most up-to-date reports on the ground.
This space is in progress, updates to come.
Dear friends, family, colleagues, humans,
Thanks to everyone who has reached out to me looking for ways to help. It is truly humbling and is a reminder that humanity can still win in this world. As it can be confusing to navigate and validate the number of donation appeals, I have spent some time researching and personally verifying every source I’ve shared below, with direct phone calls and messages in my Jamaican communities with people I know personally. I’ve provided source information below for government, non-government, 501c3s, and specific individuals all on the ground for you to choose the best way for you to donate. This felt like the most efficient, soft, and least overwhelming way to provide you with options for giving.
With the state of the world, everywhere, I know empathy + donation-fatigue is really intense right now. I feel it.
In Jamaica we have a couple of sayings “every mickle, mek a muckle” - and - “one-one cocoa fill basket”. We embrace the idea that no offering is too small, and we are grateful for whatever is manageable to give because it truly all helps.
Jamaica is my homeland, a small rock with a big heart and even bigger spirit, known the world over for the joy she gives, and I love her so. I know we will build back again.
Thank you from every corner of my heart,
Berette
HUMANS to fund
Each person, org, or fundraiser listed offers verification notes, types of aid needed, locations for aid distribution, donation links, and instagram profiles for you to see directly all the work that is happening on the ground.
Ania Freer (Jamaican Documentarian)
IG @goatcurrystudio
FUNDS + GOODS for DISTRIB. + RECOVERY
Roaring River, WESTMORELAND, JAMAICA
Treasure Beach, ST ELIZABETH, JAMAICA
Verified by B. Macaulay through Ania who is helping specific communities she is in relationship with. Ania was an artist juror for our Black Cinema Collective Microgrant.
Cosmo Whyte (Jamaican Visual Artist) + family
IG @cosmowhyte
FUNDS + GOODS for HOME RECOVERY
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA
Helping his family recover + rebuild
Stacey Ann Chin, Jamaican Poet, Activist
IG @staceyannchin
IG@kindredontherock
FUNDS + GOODS for DISTRIB. + RECOVERY
Point Hill, ST. CATHERINE, JAMAICA
Kindred Community Homestead - a farm for artists, activists, and freedom lovers" run by known Jamaican Poet/Artist
verified by B. Macaulay in community
ORGS on the ground
501c3 - tax deductible
American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ)
IG @afjcares
ISLAND WIDE AID
FUNDS for EMERGENCY AID, GOODS for DISTRIB REBUILDING + RECOVERY efforts
$1 Million Dollar Matching Funds
Participates in US Employer, Corporate, and personal matching of donation funds
Org also hosts platform for local fundraisers for JA
Verified by B.Macaulay, a friend of Kristina Newman Scott who is part of this organization
Food For the Poor/ Sean Paul Foundation
IG @foodforthepoorja IG @duttypaul
ISLAND WIDE AID
FUNDS for EMERGENCY AID, GOODS for DISTRIB efforts
World Central Kitchen in Jamaica
IG @wckitchen
ISLAND WIDE (and Cuba)
FUNDS for FOOD AID
Officially Verified by Sean Paul and Steve Wilson on the ground
GOVERNMENT RELIEF AID
SUPPORT JAMAICA (Government Site)
Officially Verified but no direct personal affiliation
FUNDS for AID, GOODS for DISTRIB - ISLAND WIDE
+1 876 906 9076 5
+1 876 754 9077 8
JAMAICA CUSTOMS AGENCY
Facilitating Distaster Relief Imports via Jamaica Information Services (JIS) with items listed for duty free shipping to KINGSTON Norman Manley International Airport and Kingston Wharf
FUNDS for AID, GOODS for DISTRIB - ISLAND WIDE
<- click to enlarge list image
WEST COAST LOCATIONS for
DROP OFF DONATIONS + FUNDRAISERS
SEATTLE | Items shipped in barrels and on palettes from Seattle to Kingston, Jamaica
Taste of the Caribbean (link)
1212 E Jefferson Street 5-9pm
you can stop by with in kind items (please see list below)
Dwayne Blake (owner) | Tel: 206 323 9112
Vetted by B.Macaulay who has worked with the restaurant
___
Friends of Jamaica Seattle (link), Founded 1996
6333 Seward Pk. Ave. South,Seattle, WA 98118
Ray Connell (Co-Founder)
Jamaican Honorary Consulate Seattle | Tel: 206 694 3632
Reporting to Jamaican Ambassador + Embassy in Washington D.C
Oystain Sinclair (President) | Tel: 206 250 1860
friendsofjamaica.seattle@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 20the Fundraiser Drive coming up
Vetted by B.Macaulay via Dwayne Blake
***BOTH orgs are partnered in Relief Efforts
COLLECTING SUPPLIES:
Toiletries, Non-perishables, Vitamins, ClothesVitamins, Water Tablets, Baby Items
Due to overwhelming response, please call before dropping off supplies!
Exp date for items up to 2027 please!
Shauna Chin - Western + Midwestern States Consulate
disaster@jaconsulatela.org to coordinate or add your drive.
Vetted by B. Macaulay friend of Shauna's
IG @shaunachin
LOS ANGELES | Items shipped in barrels and on palettes from Seattle to Kingston
LOCATIONS receiving supplies
UNI Healthcare & Caribbean Cricket Club HQ (Santa Clarita + LA)
Right Choice Caribbean Market (Crenshaw)
LA Carnival Studio (Crenshaw)
Hungry Joe’s (La Brea, Inglewood)
Remaining Key Dates:
Nov 15 AOJAH + JAAC Gala, Los Angeles → relief
Nov 22 Christ the Good Shepherd, Los Angeles (8–6)
