The southwestern coast of Jamaica bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation as the Category 5 storm made landfall on 28 October. With torrential rains and violent, gusty winds, the hurricane pummelled the island nation, resulting in extensive damage to homes, businesses, and livestock. Hospitals, health centres, schools, and roads have also suffered severe destruction, while hundreds of displaced residents are now seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
Describing Hurricane Melissa as “the worst hurricane the island of Jamaica has ever seen,” CWM Mission Secretary for the Caribbean Region, Janet McConnell, said the disaster has severely fractured Jamaica’s economic, health, education, and communication sectors, along with nearly half of its transportation and road infrastructure. She noted that the hardest-hit communities are those in the southwestern parishes, where homes have been unroofed or completely destroyed, leaving many without shelter or security.
According to McConnell, the hurricane has claimed 19 lives, and more than 70% of the island remains without electricity, water, or internet access.
“The restoration and rebuilding will not be easy. It will require a multi-sectoral approach—a partnership between the public and private sectors, international partners and the Jamaican diaspora, as well as nongovernmental organisations and the church,” said McConnell. “We pray for divine wisdom and inspiration for the leaders of government and the church, and that the spirit of resilience within the faith community and all Jamaicans will remain buoyant as we trust in Jehovah Shammah, the God who is always present.”
McConnell further reflected that while churches struggle to rebuild their sanctuaries and physical spaces, they also bear the pastoral burden of accompanying grieving communities and a nation in crisis.
“The CWM Caribbean family, along with the entire CWM global community, stands in solidarity with our Jamaican brothers and sisters and pledges full support in the recovery and rebuilding process,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) has reported extensive damage—a fate shared by many other Jamaican denominations.
In a letter to CWM, Rev. Norbert Stephens, general secretary of the UCJCI, detailed that 28 church buildings have sustained serious structural damage, with six completely demolished due to irreparability. Three church-run learning institutions have also suffered major infrastructural damage. Communication and access to isolated congregations have been hampered by debris, flooding, and deadly landslides.
“The current figures of damage and loss may only represent the beginning,” lamented Stephens, who has appealed for continued prayers from the global CWM family of churches.
As part of the ongoing recovery efforts, Stephens noted that UCJCI is conducting damage assessments and providing pastoral care to ensure congregations have safe alternatives for worship and fellowship. The church is also collaborating with the Radio Jamaica Group of Companies to facilitate relief efforts—offering church sites in heavily affected areas as collection and distribution points for humanitarian aid and essential supplies.
“We continue to ground this work in prayer and spiritual encouragement, as our moderator and ministry teams uphold the nation in faith,” wrote Stephens.
CWM calls for prayers and support
CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum reaffirmed the organisation’s solidarity with the UCJCI.
“I call upon CWM member churches to join us in prayer for UCJCI, for the people of Jamaica, and for all in the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa,” he said.
CWM is releasing an emergency Solidarity and Action Grant to support UCJCI’s relief efforts. Keum also urges all member churches to stand in solidarity through prayer and financial support for those affected.
Click here for CWM’s call for prayers.
