Press Release From ODPEM - November 2, 2025
The Government of Jamaica, through its National Disaster Management Agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM), is pleased to announce a streamlined process for international donor organisations to import goods to support the country’s disaster humanitarian relief efforts.
International donors and charitable organizations can now jointly consign shipments through ODPEM/Charitable Organization. This will enable clearance and release of goods duty-free directly to the charitable organization without unnecessary delays at the port of entry. This will greatly enhance the government's distribution of humanitarian relief to the hundreds of thousands of suffering Jamaicans.
For goods consigned to ODPEM and the international organization, the documents should read, e.g., "Red Cross/ODPEM or ODPEM for Red Cross. This process will allow these international organizations to have immediate access to the items being donated and the efficient distribution of the relief items.
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Bermudians Will Not Be Left Out In Supporting Jamaica
The US Government Is Playing Its Part
Approximately 50 disaster relief volunteers from the United States (US) arrived in the island on Thursday (October 30) to provide relief and recovery assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which brought with them essential packages, equipment and search and rescue dogs, will bolster local efforts in assessing damage and coordinating assistance.
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who met the team on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, said that Jamaica is grateful for the assistance.
“I am understanding that there is many more to come, including a number of assets, meaning helicopter assets, that can act as hospitals and also search and rescue and distribution,” he said.
“It been 36 hours since the hurricane, so we are moving as fast as possible, but obviously, logistics are always a challenge in the height and aftermath of a disaster, but this has given me great reassurance that the world loves us, loves Jamaica and obviously is going to do everything to help us to rebuild as quickly as possible,” he added.
Chargé d'Affaires at US Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner, said his government and his country stand with the people of Jamaica.
“This is the first concrete example of [our support]. We are sending in not only aid on this plane but also search and rescue experts,” he said.
“We are here to help the people of Jamaica recover from this devastating hurricane,” Mr. Renner said.
For her part, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, thanked the international community for all of their assistance.
“There are many more to come and the Government is doing everything we can to get to the communities that have been marooned and to get food and critical supplies to them,” she said.
JIS Press Release - The St. James Municipal Corporation, October 31
The St. James Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with key agencies, has intensified relief and response efforts across the parish following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses.
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has entered the execution phase of its response plan, focusing on restoring access, assessing damage, and delivering assistance to residents.
“We have been coordinating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Councillors, and the Poor Relief Department to collate the information we are receiving from communities about persons who have suffered losses, from minor damage to total destruction,” he explained.
“Once we get that information together, we will be treating the list accordingly so that we can deliver supplies and medical assistance to those in need,” he noted.
The Mayor said that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has been providing crucial logistical and operational support on the ground.
“They are helping us to coordinate what is happening, dispatching supplies, and assisting other agencies to reach citizens,” he noted.
He informed that some areas, such as John’s Hall, have been severely affected, with sections of roadways completely washed away. “Some roads are gone; we will probably need bridges for some of these sections. There are still areas that are completely flooded,” he said. The Mayor further reported that access to some shelters was temporarily lost due to blocked roadways, but teams are being deployed to clear those areas. “We will have more information, as teams are clearing roadways leading to the shelters so that we can get a better understanding of their condition and the state of the persons inside,” he added.
The Mayor commended the resilience of residents and the coordinated efforts of the agencies involved.
“We are responding to the needs of our citizens and ensuring that relief reaches those most affected. Montego Bay will recover stronger, and we will be in a better state at the end of this experience,” he said.
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https://SupportJamaica.gov.jm/Donate.
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