As we begin to make our plans for summer in Newfoundland and Labrador, our thoughts may turn to time on the water as we participate in the recreational food fishery, to our favourite pond angling for a feed of trout, or to otherwise enjoying some time away from our regular responsibilities with our families and friends.
Without wanting to spoil anyone’s well-deserved downtime, it is worth remembering that food insecurity, wars, and other conflicts and natural disasters don’t take vacations; long after the story has faded from the front sections of our news sources and our own minds, the needs of women, men, children, and the rest of creation continue unabated. And, of course, there will likely be new crises as the 2026 wildfire season ramps up.
One story that we haven’t heard much about for several months is Hurricane Melissa and the massive damage it inflicted upon Jamaica last fall. From our partners in Jamaica we have learned that after hurricane made landfall, the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands immediately put its emergency response into action supporting urgent needs. Alongside Hope and other Anglican agencies met with the diocese to see what help and support would be useful as it recovered. Donations began pouring in.
The earliest needs identified across the affected western regions of the country were access to drinkable water, food, and temporary shelter materials such as tarpaulins. Many communities were difficult to reach due to damaged roads, unstable terrain, and blocked access routes. To address this, the Diocesan Task Force established satellite distribution points in the most affected regions, enabling teams to reach remote and underserved communities that were otherwise inaccessible.
With communication infrastructure severely disrupted, church congregations became critical information hubs. Church members relayed updates, often through sporadic mobile signals or messages sent via community contacts, which were essential for guiding Task Force decisions. These timely field reports helped identify urgent hotspots, prioritize areas where support was most needed, and inform the deployment of supplies and personnel. Local congregations served as trusted access points for communities. Their established relationships made it easier to identify vulnerable households, verify needs, and ensure that assistance was delivered safely and respectfully. In many cases, congregations also provided temporary storage, meeting spaces, and staging areas for relief operations.
Church volunteers formed the backbone of the operational response. They sorted, packaged, and labeled care items; loaded vehicles; and supported deliveries to remote and hard-to-reach communities. Their willingness to work long hours under demanding conditions significantly reduced logistical costs and enabled the Diocese to expand the speed and geographical reach of distribution efforts. With additional supplies and support made available from the local and overseas partners, the immediate needs for food, water, and personal care items were largely met.
Now, attention has gradually shifted to the more long-term concern of shelter. The Diocese recognized that tarpaulins, while useful for emergency shelters, were insufficient in the face of continued rainfall and high winds. As a result, plans for the construction of permanent shelters have begun and this will take significant human and financial resources to accomplish.
The Jamaica Emergency Appeal that Alongside Hope established back in the fall remains active and accepting donations, either online at:
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E344492QE&id=113, by telephone at 1-866-308-7973, or by mail to 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2. And, please, continue to pray for the resilient people of Jamaica as they attempt to rebuild their homes and their lives.
Your parish might like to organize a summer fundraiser specifically for Jamaica, or for Alongside Hope more generally. Summer is a great time to do something like this while many regular church activities are on a break. Personally, you may wish to consider becoming a member of Partners in Hope, the name given to our band of monthly donors. Let’s try to grow this group into a strong partnership that will allow Alongside Hope to know where its next dollar is coming from and respond more quickly as needs arise.
May God bless you all with a time of rest and refreshment this summer.
Donate to Alongside Hope’s Jamaica Emergency appeal. Give online or by phone at. Or you can mail a cheque to Alongside Hope, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Jamaica” in the memo field.
