The United Reformed Church, through Commitment for Life, has launched an appeal to support both the immediate and long-term needs of affected church communities across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
“The needs are monumental,” said the Revd Dr Gordon Cowans, former Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. “A special church team has been established to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.”
According to reports, Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest to ever hit the Caribbean, ripped the roofs off 120,000 structures when it struck, affecting some 90,000 families in the island’s western region. Our Methodist partners report that more than 400,000 people across the island are still without power, with 90% of homes destroyed in St Elizabeth Parish.
Hurricane Melissa started as a tropical storm and grew into a major Category 4 hurricane within a day; its rapid intensification linked to climate warming. By the time it made landfall it had grown into a devastating Category 5.
The most pressing needs include shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, and food. In the coming weeks the focus will shift to the removal of debris and the restoration of basic access. There is also going to be a need for long-term support around reconstruction of homes, recovery of livelihoods, and the restoration of community services. Your support will be critical for our partner church, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
How to give:
Donations can be made by visiting the appeal’s GoFundMe page, or by cheque. Please make cheques payable to the URC Trust and post to Commitment for Life, United Reformed Church House, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT, with the reference “CFL Jamaica Appeal” clearly marked.
Direct bank transfers can be made to the URC Trust using the same reference. The details are:
Account name: United Reformed Church Trust
Sort Code: 40-05-03
Number: 01191802
Please let Suzanne Pearson, Commitment for Life Programme Assistant, know when a donation has been made so thanks can be expressed to you or your congregation. You can contact Suzanne by email at [email protected].