When representatives from the faith-inspired global organization Corus International arrived in Jamaica in April, their goal was clear: to support recovery efforts in action and document how their partnership with the JN Foundation has been aiding progress in communities rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa.
However, being on the ground and engaging directly with community stakeholders not only provided valuable perspective but also deepened their appreciation of both the challenges and the impact of ongoing efforts.
Working alongside the JN Foundation and St. John Ambulance Jamaica, the Corus team—which has provided partial funding for several initiatives—joined a medical mission to Wakefield, Trelawny, on Saturday, April 18. The outreach brought critical healthcare services directly to residents still feeling the effects of the Category 5 hurricane that severely damaged western Jamaica last October.
Sixty-five people received medical attention during the mission, and residents were also given relief packages made possible through the combined support of Corus International and the JN Foundation.
Emily Grose, associate director for humanitarian programming at Corus International, said supporting Jamaica is not just about providing immediate relief, but also about investing in recovery efforts that help communities build back better.
“Part of our mandate is that we are agile—we respond immediately and provide lifesaving services—but we’re also dedicated to supporting communities in their recovery,” she said, noting that “being on the ground and seeing the reality of the situation presents a very different picture. Speaking with community members, local representatives, and the JN Foundation team gives you a real sense of how devastating the hurricane was. I can see how critical these services are, and how important it is for our project and team to show up in these moments.”
She emphasized that the partnership with the JN Foundation was a natural fit, as their values closely align—making the collaboration not only strategic but meaningful. Following the launch of its own appeal fund to support hurricane-affected communities, Corus International engaged the JN Foundation to identify the most effective ways to deliver meaningful assistance.
“In discussions with the JN Foundation, we found that this was the approach they were already taking, having conducted needs assessments in the most affected parishes,” she said. “For Corus International, it’s always important not to come with a predetermined set of ideas, but to respond directly to the needs on the ground.”
Corus International, headquartered in Washington, D.C., conducts humanitarian and development work in 30 countries across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said the donor team’s firsthand engagement in Jamaica validated what the organization has been reporting through its field operations. She confirmed that support from Corus International has enabled 12 of the more than 20 medical missions coordinated by the JN Foundation, with support from several partners, across hurricane-affected parishes to date.
“Through Lutheran World Relief, a Corus International entity, their core business is emergency and crisis response. They were able to provide both guidance and financial support to expand the number of missions we executed, and they’ve now come to Jamaica to take part in the final phases of implementation,” she shared.
Underscoring the importance of continuing these efforts, Allen said that while conditions have improved and “physical progress is visible” since the first mission, demand for health services remains high.
“Being able to see a doctor is something we often take for granted,” she said. “There are many Jamaicans who don’t have the resources or the opportunity to sit with a doctor and receive a check-up.”
This is the reality for 73-year-old Wakefield resident Mertelda Hemmings, who was first in line for the mission despite her home still being damaged from the hurricane. The storm took her roof, which is currently covered with cardboard, and destroyed appliances and furniture—including a new television she had received just before the disaster.
Ms. Hemmings, who lives alone and faces ongoing health challenges, said the initiative delivered more than healthcare—it also brought financial relief, as she is unable to afford regular doctor visits.
“I’m happy for this—that’s why I was number one in line,” she said. “Somebody told me about it while I was coming from church Sunday, and when I woke up today, I made up my bed and came here. I appreciate it.”
