Samaritan’s Purse airlifts relief supplies, disaster response team to hard-hit Jamaica

BOONE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Less than 48 hours after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, Samaritan’s Purse deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team along with more than 38,000 pounds of life-saving relief supplies to the island nation.

The record-breaking storm wreaked havoc across the country, destroying critical infrastructure and leaving many without homes.

The international Christian relief organization airlifted emergency supplies onboard its B757 cargo plane from Greensboro Thursday, along with an advanced team of disaster response specialists. 

Critically needed support, including shelter materials, community water filtration systems, household water filters, solar lights, and other essential items, is currently on the way for families devastated by the storm.

Samaritan’s Purse plans to deploy a second relief flight Friday using its DC-8 combi jet, transporting life-saving relief as well as dozens of additional members of its Disaster Assistance Response Team.

“Hurricane Melissa has pummeled Jamaica and left tens of thousands of families in urgent need of help. We are heartbroken for the lives that have been lost and are grieving with those who woke up without their loved ones today,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Our teams began preparing before the storm even made landfall, and we are now on the way with life-saving aid. Please join me in praying for the people of Jamaica and for our staff as they respond in Jesus’ Name.”

Upon arrival, teams will immediately begin distributing emergency relief supplies while they also assess ongoing needs across impacted communities. The Community Water Filtration Systems being transported are each capable of providing safe drinking water daily for up to 10,000 people.

Samaritan’s Purse is coordinating closely with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and its network of more than 250 local church partners, and is prepared to provide medical assistance, including mobile medical teams for immediate care and other efforts as healthcare facilities and infrastructure remain severely damaged.

Hurricane Melissa struck the island with sustained winds of 185 mph, becoming one of the most destructive storms to impact the Caribbean in recent years. Severe flash flooding, landslides, widespread wind damage, and prolonged power outages are being reported across the island along with new, emerging needs being reported each hour.