Hurricane Melissa: How can we help from the UK?
Hurricane Melissa is one of the world's strongest storms ever. Here are some ways that people in the UK can help recovery efforts in the Caribbean. We'll keep updating this online as things happen
Donations
Jamaica Government
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has launched a dedicated platform to coordinate relief and rebuild communities.
Visit: supportjamaica.gov.jm - the only official Government of Jamaica site for hurricane recovery support.
The platform provides:
✅ A secure “Donate Now” option for individuals, diaspora and organisations
✅ An interactive shelter locator for those in need
✅ A transparent tracking system for relief resources
Brixton Soup Kitchen launches Hurricane Melissa relief drive
Brixton Soup Kitchen has launched a relief effort to support families in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The organisation has already sent more than ten barrels of donated items and is now aiming to raise £10,000 to fund a 20ft container to ship further supplies to the island.
The appeal is collecting cash donations to cover the cost of barrels, containers and shipping, alongside essential items such as mobile phones and tablets, non-perishable food, baby supplies, female hygiene products, gloves, batteries, generators and work tools.
Donations can be dropped off at Brixton Soup Kitchen, 297 - 299 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8QR, Monday to Friday between 11 am and 3 pm.
Jamaica National Group
The Jamaica National Group has also activated its disaster and emergency fund - I Support Jamaica - which will be used to aid in recovery efforts.
Donations can be made in cash or kind now. Visit jnfoundation.com/hurricane-melissa-relief or scan the QR code above.
Jamaican High Commission: Official UK drop-off points for Hurricane Melissa relief
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican High Commission, London has coordinated official collection points across the UK for relief donations.
Only new items listed on the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Needs List will be accepted. The full list can be accessed here.
London and the South East
JP Logistics Solutions
14 Lamson Road, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9YY
📅 Monday - Friday | 9 am - 4.30 pm
📞 020 7476 0154 (please call ahead)
Kingsley Shipping Services Ltd
Unit 3, 214 Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 4XG
📅 Monday - Friday | 10 am - 4 pm
📞 020 8689 6622
Croydon BME Forum & Windrush Generation Legacy Association
56A Mitcham Road, Croydon, CR0 3RG
📅 Saturdays | 9 am - 6 pm
📞 020 8684 3719
Sudbury Methodist Church
809 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LP
📅 Tuesdays | 6 - 8 pm
📅 Thursdays & Fridays | 11 am - 3 pm
📞 07956 646 093
The Midlands and the North
JLB Shipping & Logistics Ltd
Unit G, Sam’s Lane, Spon Lane Trading Estate, West Bromwich, B70 7EX
📅 Monday - Friday | 10 am - 3 pm
📅 Saturdays (1, 8 & 15 November) | 9 am - 12 pm
📞 0121 661 6525 / 0121 525 5881
Cleone Foods Ltd
50 Icknield Street, Birmingham, B18 5AY
📅 Monday - Friday | 9 am - 5 pm
📞 0121 551 2772
The Legacy Centre of Excellence
144 Potters Lane, Birmingham, B6 4UU
📅 Monday - Friday | 10 am - 3 pm
📞 0121 448 8910
Black Curatorial
Black Curatorial have expanded their ‘Hurricane Beryl Fund’ into the ‘Caribbean Hurricane Fund’ to urgently support communities in the affected islands of Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Last year, they raised over £21K to mobilise resources and rebuild efforts, after Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean region.
Initiated by Black Curatorial, this fund is organised by a collective of organisations based in the UK, including HOUSE OF DREAD, City Splash, Black Things UK, Kwanda and Black Eats.
To support, the link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/CaribbeanHurricaneFund
White Ribbon Alliance UK launches emergency appeal for mothers and newborns in Jamaica
White Ribbon Alliance UK is working to support pregnant women, new mothers and babies affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
The charity - which campaigns for safe, respectful and rights-based sexual and reproductive healthcare - is working with local partners to deliver trauma-informed aid packages.
These include safe birth kits, hygiene and period-care bundles, plus newborn essentials. With an estimated 91,000 people in Jamaica currently pregnant or recently postnatal, the crisis has placed thousands at risk of unsafe conditions.
Donations directly fund hygiene and dignity kits for women, parents and children rebuilding their lives. You can contribute here.
Hope for Haiti launches Hurricane Melissa relief appeal
Severe flooding and landslides have devastated southern Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, damaging homes, clinics, and schools across the region.
Humanitarian organisation Hope for Haiti has launched an emergency appeal to provide medical care, essential medicines, and disaster relief through its clinic in Les Cayes and local partner networks.
Donations will help fund vital supplies and medical support for families rebuilding their lives. To contribute, visit: give.hopeforhaiti.com
Contacting the Caribbean
Please be aware that mobile signal might be affected in certain areas due to damage to local networks and equipment
Jamaica Red Cross
No storm should break the bonds of family. If you’ve lost contact with a family member during Hurricane Melissa, the Red Cross can help you reconnect through their Restoring Family Links service. If the need arises, call them at (876)361-407 or (876)665-6891, or by emailing jrcs@jamaicaredcross.org.
Community action
A petition to the British Prime Minister
On Friday 31 October, the UK Government announced an additional £5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to “support the Caribbean region’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa”.
This is on top of the £2.5 million that was pledged on Wednesday 29 October. £5 million was later announced, bringing the total to £7.5 million.
The funds will go towards rapid response efforts, including the delivery of shelter kits and other essential supplies to prevent injury and disease outbreaks across the “Caribbean region”.
However, it remains unclear how much of this support each of the affected countries will receive, including Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
If the allocation is to be shared among more than one nation then, as it stands, the aid does not amount to much.
So, there is a petition urging the British Prime Minister to mobilise greater emergency aid for Jamaica.
Support your favourite creators
In the digital age, small gestures can make a big difference. Simply watching, commenting on, or engaging with your favourite Jamaican, Haitian, Cuban or Dominican creators online helps channel revenue into their platforms - money that can, in turn, support local economies rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa.
If they’re active on social media, liking, subscribing or sharing their work can provide not only financial support, but also a much-needed boost to morale during this difficult time.
Events
UK lovers rock legends unite for a cause - Thursday 18 December
Two leading figures in the UK reggae scene, Orlando Gittens and Peter Hunnigale, have announced the Giants of Lovers Rock JA Fundraiser Concert, set for Thursday 18 December 2025 at Indigo at The O2 in Greenwich.
The line-up brings together major reggae and Lovers Rock artists, including Maxi Priest, Carroll Thompson, Sandra Cross, Janet Kay and Aswad, in a night focused on solidarity and support for the island’s recovery.
All proceeds will go to Food For The Poor Jamaica. Tickets are £20 (standing), £30 (balcony) and £40 (King’s Row). Doors open at 6 pm, with a 7 pm start. Tickets are available here.