Sir Lenny Henry supports Jamaica’s recovery after Hurricane Melissa

Sir Lenny Henry has long championed humanitarian causes, and his recent support for the Red Cross following Hurricane Melissa reflects that commitment. The Category 5 storm - the strongest to hit Jamaica in modern history - caused catastrophic damage in October 2025, displacing tens of thousands of families and destroying vital infrastructure across the island.

During his visit in early 2026, Lenny saw the scale of the devastation first-hand. In Black River, St Elizabeth Parish, once a thriving centre of community life, homes, churches, banks and local businesses had collapsed into rubble. Reflecting on the scene, he said it was “like a giant hand came and just smashed down this entire community.” 

At Unity Primary School in Savanna-la-Mar, the impact on children was stark. Only three of the school’s 23 classrooms can still be used. Some pupils who lost their homes are now sleeping on site, and teachers return each day to houses without roofs. Standing in the destroyed library, Lenny described the loss of books and learning spaces as “a tragedy.”

Despite the challenges, he witnessed remarkable resilience among families, volunteers and Red Cross teams. The Jamaica Red Cross is working closely with communities to support thousands of people with emergency shelter, food, clean water, cash assistance programmes and mental health services.  

The Jamaica Red Cross, supported by the British Red Cross, continue to provide critical mental health support for children and adults coping with trauma. They do this while helping families reconnect with loved ones and regain stability. The Red Cross are committed to having a long‑term presence and deep community ties to remain alongside affected communities for as long as it takes, ensuring people have the support they need not just to survive, but to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Donations to the British Red Cross Disaster Fund can help provide the long‑term assistance communities need to rebuild their lives.