Hurricane Melissa: Red Cross warns that needs remain immense one week on from the storm 

One week on since Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, causing widespread destruction to the island and across the Caribbean, the British Red Cross is appealing for support to meet people’s urgent needs. 

Roadblocks, fallen trees and flooding are making the emergency response efforts particularly challenging. In Cuba, the situation is complicated further by a number of disease outbreaks which have been exacerbated by the hurricane. 

The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has dispatched the first 110 tons of humanitarian aid to Jamaica to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. It includes 1,500 shelter kits, 1,000 solar lamps, and 3,500 plastic tarpaulins. ​ 

The IFRC has also delivered the first 20 tons of aid to Cuba, which is capable of providing urgent humanitarian assistance to 1,500 people​.The cargo includes kitchen, hygiene, and bedding kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, shelter tools kits, and plastic sheeting, which the Cuban Red Cross will distribute in the hardest hit areas. 

Two British Red Cross volunteers have been in Jamaica providing emotional support to UK nationals affected by the hurricane.​ They worked alongside members of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Rapid Deployment Team (RDT), providing vital assistance on the ground. The volunteers have extensive experience in trauma care and humanitarian response. 

Alexander Pendry, Global Response Manager at the British Red Cross, said: 

“Hurricane Melissa struck with unprecedented ferocity and the scale of the response needed is immense. Red Cross staff and volunteers in Jamaica, Cuba and the wider region are working tirelessly despite being deeply affected by the disaster themselves. 

“The immediate concerns right now are ensuring people have access to food, clean water and healthcare. The hurricane has severely damaged essential infrastructure, including hospitals, agricultural land and water sources. We are particularly concerned about the potential spread of disease, so the focus will remain on providing people with life-saving essentials and supporting communities on their long road to recovery. 

“Tragically, this crisis is only just beginning – it's vital that our response not only meets people’s immediate needs but prepares communities for the future too. The best way to help is to donate to our Disaster Fund, which allows us to response quickly and effectively in crises like these.” 

Donate to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa.

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Background: 

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a category 5 hurricane, making Melissa the most powerful storm of 2025, and the first hurricane of this kind to hit Jamaica in known history. It brought with it torrential rains, which have left whole communities underwater and devastating winds have caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. 

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk