Samaritan’s Purse Responds to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian charity led by Franklin Graham, has sent an emergency hospital, part of its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), along with supplies to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the country last week.

The organization airlifted the emergency field hospital to Jamaica on Sunday, November 2, establishing it in the struggling coastal town of Black River. This hospital includes over 30 inpatient beds, along with operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency rooms, maternity wards, laboratories, pharmacies, and blood banks.

After two airlifts for relief supplies, Samaritan’s Purse is planning more flights. On October 30th and 31st, the supplies included local water systems, shelter materials, home water filters, solar power units, hygiene kits, and other essentials.

“The local water system can serve 10,000 people daily. We maintain regular contact with over 200 church partners on the ground in Jamaica,” Samaritan’s Purse mentioned.

Reports indicate that at least 19 individuals died as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, being the strongest Category 5 storm in Jamaica’s history. In Haiti, the storm claimed at least 30 lives.

“Hurricane Melissa has struck Jamaica, leaving tens of thousands of families in urgent need,” Graham said. “We are heartbroken by the lives lost and mourn for those waking up without their loved ones today.”

“Our teams started preparing ahead of the storm and are currently offering life-saving aid. Please join us in praying for the people of Jamaica and our staff during this response,” he added.

Other Christian organizations, such as Convoy of Hope and Operation Blessing, have also contributed to the relief efforts for Hurricane Melissa’s victims in Jamaica.