Hurricane Melissa’s passage through Eastern Westmoreland left a level of destruction that residents describe as unlike anything they have ever witnessed. Entire districts were flattened, homes washed away, and thousands displaced in a matter of hours. With more than 5,000 families identified as affected, the constituency faces one of the largest humanitarian challenges in its recent history.
In the aftermath, Member of Parliament Dr. Dayton Campbell and a volunteer-led relief team have activated a wide-ranging emergency response. At the centre of this effort is the Adopt-a-Family Initiative — a targeted recovery programme designed to connect 1,500 displaced families with donors willing to support their most urgent needs.
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A Targeted Model for Recovery
The Adopt-a-Family initiative emerged as relief coordinators began receiving reports of large-scale housing loss across multiple communities. Many families were found without shelter, clothing, or basic supplies, and some were left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
To address this, the initiative matches supporters — whether individuals, diaspora groups, or organisations — with families who have undergone verification and needs assessment. The model allows donors to contribute directly to a household’s recovery, with support ranging from emergency supplies to the provision of durable container homes for families whose houses were destroyed.
The relief team notes that while some donors have taken on full sponsorships, including former MP Lisa Hanna who adopted a family publicly, the initiative was intentionally built so that ordinary Jamaicans can participate at any level.
“Not everyone can rebuild a house,” programme coordinator Rev. Dr. Paul Blake explained, “but anyone can help a family start again — even if it’s a small contribution.”
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What Families Need Most
While the demand is vast, coordinators say the needs fall into clear categories:
- Safe and reliable shelter, particularly for elderly residents, children, and the disabled
- Food and clean water as communities navigate disrupted supply chains
- Hygiene and baby care items, including nappies, wipes, and sanitisation supplies
- Medical support, especially for those with chronic conditions
- School supplies and psychosocial support for students returning to heavily impacted classrooms
As assessments continue, additional families are being added to the verified list daily.
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Ensuring Accountability
With public trust at the centre of any relief effort, the team leading the Eastern Westmoreland response has put several layers of accountability in place to ensure donors can be confident that their contributions are reaching the families they are intended to help. According to recovery programme coordinator Rev. Dr. Blake every donation — whether financial or in-kind — is formally logged and recorded as part of an internal tracking system. Families are verified before being added to the programme, each with a documented profile outlining their circumstances and immediate needs.
Donors who choose to adopt or sponsor a family are kept updated on the impact of their contributions, often receiving photo or video evidence of the relief being delivered. The programme also issues periodic public updates on the overall progress of the constituency-wide recovery, offering a clear view of how assistance is being distributed across communities.
International donations are managed through the Jamaica Sunshine Foundation, which provides an additional layer of oversight for transfers coming from overseas supporters. Together, these measures form a structured accountability framework that is designed to give donors reassurance that resources are being handled responsibly and that their generosity is translating into real support for families on the ground.
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Beyond Adoption: The Wider Relief Landscape
While the Adopt-a-Family initiative is the constituency’s flagship recovery programme, it operates alongside a broader emergency response led by Dr Campbell and the Eastern Westmoreland Hurricane Relief Programme.
Current priority areas include:
Immediate Relief Distribution : Continuous delivery of food, water, hygiene products, medical supplies, and baby care items to affected districts.
Short-Term Housing : Provision of container homes for displaced families and temporary shelter solutions for those unable to return to their properties.
Support for Schools : Several schools in the constituency sustained damage. Relief teams are coordinating repairs, cleaning efforts, and the distribution of supplies, while also providing psychosocial support for students.
Long-Term Recovery : Plans include rebuilding homes, re-establishing livelihoods, and restoring community infrastructure over the coming months.
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How People Can Support — Even Without “Adopting” a Family
The relief team emphasises that the initiative is not limited to major donors. Several accessible pathways exist for wider public participation:
- Pooling donations with friends, co-workers, church groups, or alumni associations
- Contributing smaller one-time amounts through official bank and Zelle channels
- Donating priority supplies at distribution hubs in Whitehouse, Darliston, and Kingston
- Volunteering for sorting, distribution, data collection, or cleanup efforts
- Sponsoring specific needs such as grocery packages, mattresses, or school kits
- Sharing verified information to help combat misinformation and encourage wider support
In short, the initiative is structured so that anyone, at any level, can make a measurable impact.
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How to Donate or Volunteer
Local (Jamaica) Donations
- Account Name: Paul Blake, Maureen Webber Eastern Westmoreland Hurricane Relief
- JMMB BANK (JAMAICA) LTD.
- JMD Account : 8247563
- USD Account : 4211407
- Branch: Haughton Terrace
Overseas Donations
- Zelle: JamaicaSunshineFoundationInc@gmail.com
- Wire Transfer (Bank of America): PO Box 823683, Pembroke Pines, FL 33082
- Jamaica Sunshine Foundation Inc.
- Account: 8981 3867 9311
- Routing: 026009593
International Wire (via JMMB Investments)
- Account Name: Jamaica Money Market Brokers Ltd.
- Bank: Citibank N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, NY 10043
- Account Number: 36022738
- SWIFT Code: CITIUS33
- Routing Number: 021000089
Drop-Off Sites
- Whitehouse Community Centre — Main operations hub
- Baba Roots Factory, Darliston — Sorting and storage
- PNP Headquarters, 89 Old Hope Road — Kingston drop-off
Volunteer Contacts
- 876-371-3299
- 876-793-2880
- Operational Lead: Dr Paul A. Blake – 876-565-4526
For more information about the Adopt-a-Family initiative, visit the official relief website, which lists the families and communities in need as well as the various ways you can support.
