EM25-62

The Hurricane Melissa Initial Emergency Response (EM 25-62) was a rapid humanitarian intervention implemented by ADRA Jamaica with the support of a global Emergency Response Team (ERT) deployed in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck the country on October 28, 2025. The response was implemented from November 1–6, 2025, under ADRA Jamaica’s National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP), with the objective of providing immediate food security assistance to hurricane-affected households in underserved communities.

The project targeted vulnerable populations in the Cuffie’s Pen district of Lacovia, prioritizing households affected by the hurricane, particularly those with children and access to basic cooking facilities. Through in-kind assistance, the response reached a total of 3,456 people. This included the distribution of food kits to 977 households (3,306 individuals), providing approximately 15 days of non-perishable food for a family of four, and the provision of hot meals to an additional 150 individuals.

To ensure an effective and accountable response, ADRA Jamaica conducted a household-level identification and registration process using the Kobo data collection platform, enabling accurate beneficiary verification and real-time data capture despite limited electricity and internet access. Distribution activities were carried out at two local churches, selected in coordination with community leaders to enhance accessibility, safety, and crowd management.

The response was supported by 60 trained volunteers mobilized through the “YES! With ADRA” youth volunteer network. Volunteers received training in field safety, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and data collection protocols. Robust safety and security measures were implemented at all distribution sites, including controlled entry and exit points and dedicated security volunteers.

Overall, the Hurricane Melissa Initial Response demonstrated effective coordination with local leaders and authorities, timely delivery of life-saving food assistance, and strong volunteer engagement, contributing to the immediate stabilization of food consumption needs among hurricane-affected households in Lacovia. This response was notable for not only the number of people reached but also its speed of response. The project benefitted from Emergency Management Unit’s dedication to Anticipatory Action and was completed within seven days of Hurricane Melissa’s landfall. This allowed ADRA Jamaica and the Emergency Response Team to obtain additional funding from the ADRA Network, United States Embassy, and UNICEF. All NEMP responses are considered seed funding for future responses, and this was no exception as the original $50,000 NEMP was leveraged into over $100,000 in additional emergency funding.