Supporting Hurricane Relief in Jamaica: Impact Update

Peace Boat's 121st Global Voyage visited the port of Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 22, 2025. Just weeks after the ship’s visit, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, bringing severe rainfall, flooding, and infrastructure damage, particularly affecting vulnerable coastal and low-income communities. Homes were damaged or destroyed, access to healthcare was disrupted, and many families were left without basic necessities. 

In response, participants, volunteers and staff onboard together joined hands to raise funds which were allocated to support local, community-based organisations working directly on the ground in Jamaica. The donations were shared between Crisis Support Charity and the Street People Liberation Foundation, ensuring assistance reached those most in need through trusted local partners. Below is a summary of how each organisation used this support to respond to the impacts of Hurrican Melissa.
 

Crisis Support Charity: Emergency Medical Outreach and Community Relief in Westmoreland

Thanks to the generosity of Peace Boat participants, Crisis Support Charity carried out a major relief and medical outreach on December 6, 2025, in Westmoreland, Jamaica. The outreach focused on two severely affected communities - Chantilly District and Rickets Avenue - where families were left displaced, vulnerable, and without access to basic healthcare following the hurricane.

With the support of these donations, Crisis Support Charity was able to transport medical teams into hard-to-reach areas and mobilise a multidisciplinary group of professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, ambulance services, and volunteers. Together, they delivered on-site medical care and emergency support directly within the communities.

A total of 500 care packages were distributed, providing food, hygiene items, baby supplies, and household essentials. These packages supported 300 children and 200 elderly residents, helping families meet urgent daily needs during a period of instability and loss.

Medical teams treated numerous hurricane-related conditions, particularly among children, including skin infections caused by exposure to floodwaters, dehydration, malnutrition, cold-related illnesses due to loss of shelter, and insect bites. For many families, this was the first medical care received since the hurricane. Lost prescriptions were refilled, emergency medications were provided, and individuals managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension received essential support. Comprehensive health checks — including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, wound care, and ECG assessments — helped identify serious health concerns and ensure timely follow-up.

In total, the outreach supported 500 people, delivered life-saving medical care, and restored dignity, stability, and hope to families during a critical stage of recovery.

Street People Liberation Foundation: Care, Dignity, and Recovery Support for Displaced and Homeless Communities

As part of its post–Hurricane Melissa response, the Street People Liberation Foundation (SPLF) carried out a Christmas outreach on December 21, 2025, focused on homeless individuals displaced by the hurricane. Many of those supported are currently housed at the Refuge of Hope Homeless Shelter, which also sustained damage during the storm. Residents remain emotionally and mentally affected, with several having no family members to visit them during the holiday season.

Using funds raised through Peace Boat, SPLF provided a full Christmas dinner for shelter residents, along with donations of care and hygiene items, fruits, and essential supplies for the shelter’s kitchen. Transportation costs for food and supplies were covered, and a portion of the funds was donated directly to the Refuge of Hope Homeless Shelter to support repairs or operational needs, as determined by the shelter’s management. This outreach served as an important gesture of care, encouragement, and solidarity during a difficult time of year.

Looking ahead, Street People Liberation Foundation is actively planning the next phase of post-hurricane recovery for some of the most remote and severely affected communities in Trelawny. Planned interventions include providing hardware vouchers, distributing building materials such as zinc, lumber, and tarpaulins, and coordinating water truck deliveries for communities with limited access to clean water. While transportation challenges and rising costs remain significant obstacles, SPLF continues fundraising and logistical planning to deliver sustainable relief as soon as conditions allow.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed during Peace Boat’s 121st Global Voyage. Your solidarity and generosity made a direct and meaningful difference for communities in Jamaica as they continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.