AFJ disburses US$7.4 million for Jamaica’s hurricane recovery one year after Melissa

The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has disbursed US$7.4 million towards hurricane recovery in western Jamaica, helping to restore 919 homes, support more than 2,000 farmers and return thousands of students to improved learning environments one year after Hurricane Melissa.

The organisation raised US$11.74 million following the October 28, 2025, hurricane, which devastated communities across western Jamaica. Contributions came from Jamaicans at home and abroad, corporate donors and other supporters.

According to AFJ, US$2.2 million has been disbursed for emergency relief through 23 partner organisations across seven parishes, while US$4.9 million has gone towards reconstruction and associated project costs. Another US$300,000 was awarded in grants to 16 community organisations.

AFJ has also allocated a further US$3.3 million to ongoing recovery projects.

Following its initial emergency response, the organisation focused its rebuilding efforts on five heavily affected communities: Maggotty, Darliston, Cambridge, Wakefield and Hopewell/Green Island.

Under the programme, AFJ earmarked US$1.5 million for housing, US$1.25 million for education, US$1 million for health care facilities and US$500,000 for agriculture.

Homes and farms

AFJ has reroofed 761 homes across the five communities, benefiting approximately 3,044 residents. An additional 158 roofs were completed in partnership with the BREDS Foundation, bringing the total to 919 homes and approximately 3,676 beneficiaries.

The organisation is working towards its target of restoring 1,000 roofs.

Its agricultural recovery programme has assisted 2,077 farmers who lost crops, livestock and equipment during the hurricane. H&L Agro provided vouchers to 1,519 farmers in the five communities to purchase fertiliser, animal feed and other supplies, while the BREDS Foundation assisted another 558 farmers.

Pineapple farmer Louis Foster was among those who received support. His J$50,000 voucher helped cover the cost of agricultural supplies as he worked to restore his farm.

“Normally, we would spend like a hundred or a hundred and fifty thousand for one crop of fertiliser for the pineapple,” Foster said.

The assistance covered part of the expense, allowing him to use his own money for other farming needs.

Schools return to learning

AFJ has also supported the reconstruction of damaged schools, the provision of temporary learning spaces and investments in infrastructure designed to help schools withstand future disasters.

At Cove Primary School in Green Island, Hanover, the organisation helped finance the reconstruction of hurricane-damaged facilities, allowing 125 students who had been attending classes in tents and a nearby church hall to return to improved learning spaces.

The US$328,000 project included a reinforced roof, solar power, a library, smart boards and computers. It was delivered in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, which managed the project, and the NCB Foundation, which provided matching funds.

Principal Patrice Campbell recalled her reaction when she saw the completed work.

“When I walked in after reconstruction and saw all that had happened, I said, ‘What the enemy meant for harm, God meant for good,’” she said.

AFJ’s wider education recovery programme includes a J$100 million joint allocation with the NCB Foundation, comprising a J$50 million matching contribution from NCB and funding from AFJ.

The partnership supports resilience projects in Wakefield and Trelawny, as well as modular classrooms at Burnt Savannah Primary and Rusea’s High.

Schools in Glen Stuart and Wakefield have received technology, solar power systems and canteen appliances, while construction continues on additional resilience projects in Cambridge and Darliston.

Across western Jamaica, AFJ has funded 31 temporary classrooms at 12 schools, serving approximately 4,700 students. It has also installed solar power systems at 14 schools.

The organisation expects to complete another 10 modular classrooms in November at five schools undergoing major reconstruction. Those schools serve approximately 2,925 students.

AFJ also plans to re-equip kitchens at approximately 24 schools.

In addition, the organisation is helping restore agricultural programmes at five high schools: Maud McLeod, Cambridge, Maggotty, Muschett and Hopewell. The initiative, undertaken with H&L Agro, will replace chicken coops, equipment and crop supplies lost during the hurricane.

Health care and community support

AFJ is also working to strengthen health care facilities in communities still recovering from the storm.

In partnership with the National Healthcare Enhancement Fund (NHEF), the organisation is preparing to equip and improve four health centres in its priority communities. Planned improvements include solar power and water systems to help maintain services during emergencies.

Repairs are under way at four health centres in Hanover: Bramble, Chester Castle, Lucea and Mount Pelier, with completion targeted for November.

Work to re-equip the outpatient clinic at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and the Williamsfield Health Centre in Westmoreland is also scheduled to begin in November.

AFJ has awarded US$300,000 in grants to 16 community organisations supporting trauma-responsive teaching, after-school programmes, youth agriculture and medical outreach.

The organisation has also received targeted contributions, including a donation from The Home Depot Foundation for reroofing and seeds from Back to the Roots to support agricultural recovery.

“One year later, families have roofs over their heads, farmers are getting back on their feet, and children are back in classrooms. We are proud of what has been achieved, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” said outgoing AFJ President Wendy Hart.

Hart is scheduled to hand over the presidency to Mark Newman on November 1.

Over the next six to 12 months, AFJ plans to focus on completing outstanding school projects, improving health care facilities and continuing reconstruction in communities affected by the hurricane.

The recovery effort has involved partnerships with Food For The Poor, Global Empowerment Mission, the Sandals Foundation, the NCB Foundation, H&L Agro, NHEF, The Home Depot Foundation, Back to the Roots, government agencies and community organisations.