October 2025
In late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa struck western Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 storm, bringing devastating winds, flooding, and landslides. The storm caused loss of life and widespread destruction, leaving many families displaced and communities struggling to recover. Haiti and Cuba were also impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, IDES was immediately in contact with our partners in all 3 countries. IDES staff members were on the ground in Jamaica the week after the hurricane to help with emergency relief distributions, assess the damage, and plan our response.
IDES has been able to partner with 9 different ministries in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. Our work has focused on providing relief supplies and rebuilding homes and churches. Once our current projects wrap up, IDES will have helped rebuild 20 churches and 90 homes. These efforts give communities places to gather and worship, and safe places for families to live. The needs are still significant, though. Some communities were completely destroyed and many families continue to live in makeshift shelters. Please consider supporting our ongoing efforts.
(Updated 3/31/2026)
UPDATE (December 18, 2026)
We sent a team to Jamaica just a couple days after Hurricane Melissa hit. They were able to evaluate the situation, check in directly with our local partners, and talk with many of the survivors of the storm. These were just a couple of the stories they heard.
