When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 storm, the strongest in the island’s history, it left behind catastrophic damage. At least 28 lives have been lost, and damages to roads, airports, and ports have limited access to critical aid. Schools and hospitals are severely impacted, and communities remain in urgent need of medical care, medication, clean water, and essential supplies. World Cares Center is deploying a coordinated response across Bethel Town, Tryall, St. Elizabeth, and surrounding communities following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Our work includes medical services, disaster volunteer training, and family-focused healing arts programs designed to support both immediate recovery and long-term resiliency.
Medical Pop-Up Clinics
In partnership with Northern Caribbean University medical students and local volunteers, WCC will operate two pop-up medical clinics providing checkups, medications, and health guidance to community members who currently have no access to care. Up to 75 clients per day will receive medical support, and 15 NCU interns will be trained in emergency clinic management.
Disaster Volunteer Training
While clinics operate, WCC will train local teams through the Collaborative Disaster Volunteer Credential (CDVC), equipping grassroots leaders and volunteers with standardized, evidence-based skills to manage coordination centers and lead recovery efforts safely and effectively.
Hope, Love & Courage Program
WCC will deliver healing arts workshops for 250 children and 100 caregivers using our Hope, Love & Courage resilience curriculum. Families will receive journals, caregiver guides, and participate in creating community healing murals to support emotional recovery.
Long-Term Support
WCC’s historic model includes sustained engagement ranging from three months to three years. Future deployments to support Jamaica’s local centers will continue based on community needs and partner support.
World Cares Center is working closely with Northern Caribbean University and affiliated partners to strengthen a coordinated response across the regions impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Through this collaboration, local volunteers, community leaders, and NCU medical interns are receiving the training and tools needed to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery.
The Ready Responder Hub continues to serve as a free platform for training, communication, and coordination, helping volunteers and organizations respond safely and effectively. It provides access to essential disaster-volunteerism training, real-time situational updates, and tools for managing outreach and coordination.
By combining in-person instruction with online support, we are helping affiliated groups build the capacity required to manage coordination centers, operate medical clinics, and lead recovery efforts with confidence.
We remain committed to ensuring a coordinated, community-led response that empowers local leaders and volunteers as Hurricane Melissa recovery continues.
1. Donate to Support Relief Efforts
Your contribution directly supports disaster-training programs, volunteer coordination, and supplies for communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Donate below.
2. Partner with Us and Become Ready Responders
Organizations interested in affiliating for regional response or training collaboration can contact communications@worldcares.org for partnership details.
3. Join the ReadyResponderHub.org and get connected today.
World Cares Center is here as a resource to train, support and protect Ready Responders to respond effectively and safely in times of crisis.
If you’re interested in response and recovery resources, we encourage you to explore our trainings through our Ready Responder Hub.