How to Help Jamaica Relief Efforts After Hurricane Melissa

It's been just over two weeks since the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, taking a destructive path through the Caribbean. Nearly a third of the island's population were directly affected by the storm that hit the hardest on the western part of Jamaica. The storm killed at least 32 people in Jamaica and another 43 in Haiti. The Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba were also subject to the trail of damage from Hurricane Melissa, recording maximum winds of 185 mph and now recorded as one of the strongest hurricanes in history. Relief organizations are continuing to mobilize to provide support in the region.

Earlier this year, the Adventures in Golf team visited Montego Bay, Jamaica to film the third episode of season nine. Since then, so many of the people and places included in the episode have been deeply effected by Hurricane Melissa. In this episode, you'll get a small look at this vibrant and welcoming country that now could really use our help. Please consider supporting the ongoing relief to help this amazing place and its communities that make it shine.

How To Help

American Friends of Jamaica

The American Friends of Jamaica is a non-profit that has been working to support charitable organizations in Jamaica since 1982, raising nearly $20 million to date. The AFJ Disaster Relief Fund goes directly to relief and recovery in Jamaica, the organization is even covering any administrative costs associated with the fund to ensure every dollar donated is put to use. With its partners, the AFJ sponsored the first two airlifts transporting care packages at the end of October. They've also partnered with additional organizations on freight deliveries by sea providing food, shelter materials and clean water.

More Information: TheAFJ.com

Food For The Poor

This hunger and poverty relief organization provides food distribution programs provide food to those who cannot afford it or lack access to nutritious meals and programs aim to address the root causes of poverty and improve the overall well-being of impoverished individuals and communities. The organization had pre-positioned supplies in parishes across the country that were able to be delivered immediately after the storm. Its warehouse also operates locally to coordinate the distribution of food and supplies as well. The primary focus is on emergency food, water and medical support for immediate relief, but the organization is also committed to longterm recovery and rebuilding including home repairs, agriculture recovery and community infrastructure restoration.

FTTP accepts online donations, has an Amazon Relief List of supplies that can be shipped directly to their warehouse for immediate distribution, and accepts approved essential supplies at its warehouse in Coconut Creek, Florida.

More Information: FoodForThePoor.org

Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization that works to support the health and lives of those affected by poverty or emergencies. Just last week the group chartered a flight with 16 tons of medical aid requested by the Ministry of Health in Jamaica. With so many hospitals and clinics severely damaged across Jamaica, these supplies will help health care centers mitigate the disruption of care to restore services in both emergency and outpatient health centers.

More Information: DirectRelief.org