Bringing Hope to Jamaica

In 2025, the Caribbean saw the growth and emergence of a weather system that developed into a Category 5 storm which will remain part of the history of the region for all the wrong reasons. Hurricane Melissa made landfall over Hope, Jamaica on October 28th 2025. One might say all hope was lost as this storm with wind speeds of 185 mph (298 km/h) brought devastation to homes and hospitals, and widespread flooding that extended to other Caribbean areas such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Turks & Caicos Islands – and not without it share of fatalities.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Immediately, here in Trinidad & Tobago, emergency and disaster preparedness teams went to work to determine what aid was required and how best to deliver support to our affected neighbors. And TTALGA members joined in the call to bring back hope to Hope and other affected areas in Jamaica.  

Mayor, Alderman Akeilah Glasgow Warner (TTALGA Chairman)

The Diego Martin Borough Corporation launched their Humanitarian Relief Drive for Jamaica. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4FLNtdt3. Under Mayor, Alderman Akeilah Glasgow Warner (TTALGA Chairman), the Corporation invited residents to drop off their donations at the disaster Management Units’ Office from Thursday October 30^th from 9am-4pm at 2-3 Orchid Drive, Petit Valley, or to call their hotline at 800-DMRC (3672).

A list of specific items are posted on the link provided above on their Facebook Page.

See also the first supplies being delivered by Mayor Akeilah Glasgow Warner, and TTALGA Chairman: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JAaweABzv.

Mayor and Councillor, Doodnath Mayrhoo (TTALGA Vice-Chairman) led Siparia Regional Corporation to launch their relief effort in declaring “One Item Goes a Long Way!”. The Corporation’s goal was stated as “bringing relief to our brothers and sisters in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa”.

The Corporation is accepting any donation, however big or small, that will make a world of difference. See https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CiFSYbqYU  to help rebuild hope.

The Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation (under Chairman, Councillor Ryan Rampersad) also stepped up to assist affected ones in Jamaica from this history-making storm. A list of relief supplies was made available on their Facebook page as well  (see: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ApXK5QgkR) and include items such as building materials, sanitation supplies, non-perishable food and bottled water. They requested that supplies be delivered or dropped off to the Disaster Management Unit, Railway Road, Couva, from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am to 4pm. They also noted that items can also be dropped at Councillors’ offices.

Additionally, under Mayor, Alderman Port of Spain City Corporation Chinua Alleyne (TTALGA Executive Committee Member), the Council of the City of Port-of-Spain “launched a relief drive in support of its sister city, the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation in Jamaica.” They encouraged donations to be delivered to City Hall and asked that information on specific items requested, collection hours and other details be found through the Corporation’s media channels (see: https://www.facebook.com/portofspaincityhall and https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16sd94aBSb)

Over at the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, their Disaster Management Unit continues to lead collection efforts for the Hurricane Melissa Relief Drive. Chairman, Councillor Josiah Austin (TTALGA Executive Committee Member), visited the site to deliver supplies and check on progress.

Their drop-off Location is located at "Disaster Management Unit Office, Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Macoya" (next to NAMDEVCO Market).

Drop-off times are Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and they can be reached at (868) 645-5583.

(Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EZPEjqzrm).

TTALGA encourages you to refer to the full list of requested items here: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/needs and then contact your own Corporation to find out more about how you can be a part of the relief effort by using this directory at https://www.ttalga.com/municipal-directory. Please be sure to click on the icons and links to navigate to the relevant social media pages to get updates and directions as they are released.

We at TTALGA take this opportunity commend these massive efforts of all in bringing back hope to Jamaica.

Note: This blog was updated on Nov 6 2025