Standing with Our Partners in the Wake of Hurricane Melissa

We continue to hold in prayer our partners and the communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. We are in close contact with partners in Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica, who are actively assessing needs and supporting those most affected by the storm.

Partner Updates

Haiti

In Haiti, severe flooding has caused displacement, injuries, and the tragic loss of life. Homes, crops, and livestock have been damaged or destroyed, leaving families and children in urgent need. Our partners at CONASPEH and House of Hope are reaching out to those sheltering from the storm, some in flooded centers, to provide food, clean water, and essential support despite limited resources.

David Giron, our Global Relations Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, reports regarding House of Hope, “The situation has evolved rapidly since Wednesday. The southern region has been strongly impacted. Thousands have been evacuated. The surrounding villages face the destruction of infrastructure, particularly related to agriculture. There are many injured individuals. In the capital, the heavy rain continued through Thursday morning.”

“Regarding the children at House of Hope, they maintain communication with their families in temporary shelters. Certain centers have been flooded, and the last rains have further complicated children’s lives. Aside from the food support House of Hope provides (arrives every 2 months), they don’t have the means to provide the children with refuge. Nationally, there have been 23 deaths, including 10 children. Stats are being updated periodically.”

House of Hope has identified priority areas, including finding lodging to move people out of crowded shelters and into fixed housing, as well as addressing the cost of medical support.

Cuba

Partners at the Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Cuba report damage to work sites and local infrastructure. Teams are preparing assessments to determine urgent community needs, prioritizing families and neighborhoods most impacted by flooding and storm damage.

The Center is currently providing food and medical assistance to 600 families. They have identified several items that will need support.

Jamaica

In Jamaica, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands is gathering reports from congregations and communities to understand the full scope of impact. Their response team is coordinating efforts to identify the most critical needs, including shelter, food, and medical assistance for those affected.

We are still awaiting updates from many partners and ask that everyone keep all communities and responders in their prayers.

“We remain committed to working with partners to identify their immediate and long-term needs, and Global Ministries is prepared to respond. We are also collaborating, as always, with our wider denominational networks to deliver needed support.”

Global Ministries Co-Executives, Rev. Shari Prestemon and Rev. Dr. LaMarco Cable

Prayer:
Loving God, we lift up all who are affected by Hurricane Melissa. Bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones and homes, strength to those helping others in need, and hope to communities as they recover. Protect and guide the responders and partners working tirelessly on the ground. May your peace and love surround every heart in this time of uncertainty. Amen.