Jewish and Israeli humanitarian organizations are on the ground in the Caribbean, working in collaboration with global and local civil society organizations, as rescue efforts continue following Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane that struck the region. The death toll continues to rise in the wake of the storm, which has killed at least 29 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Melissa is the strongest storm to ever make landfall in Jamaica, and the second strongest recorded in the region, with effects felt across Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

‍Following is a list of organizations, collated by OLAM and SID-Israel, collecting donations for rescue operations, shelter, emergency supplies, and more for victims. We will continue to update it as we receive more information about which organizations are there and what they are doing.

*Cadena: Cadena has deployed a team to support immediate response efforts in coordination with local organizations in Jamaica, addressing the urgent needs of impacted communities.

* Early Starters International: ESI is working with local partners to establish safe spaces for impacted children and their families in community settings such as schools and shelters. They will also deliver training in trauma-informed education and family-strengthening activities to ease the coping process for hurricane victims.

‍*IsraAID: IsraAID’s emergency response team - composed of experts in emergency response, logistics, operations, mental health and psychosocial support, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene - is assessing urgent needs to support access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation supplies, and child protection services for residents. They are also working with local hospitals and mental health professionals to strengthen the systems that care for people in times of crisis.

‍*JDC: JDC is working with local and global partners to provide immediate humanitarian aid — distributing medical supplies, clean water, and other vital assistance.

*NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief: A team of NATAN doctors, social workers, and logistics experts is working with partners in Jamaica, including Army and Medical Corps perssonnell, to provide essential medical and psychosocial support to storm-battered communities.

‍SmartAID: SmartAID is collaborating closely with the Jamaican Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), national relief organizations, and global partners to deliver emergency power, communication systems, and clean water to ensure that first responders and affected families in some of the hardest-hit areas stay connected and supported throughout the crisis.

*World Jewish Relief: WJR is working with trusted partners on the ground in Haiti and Jamaica to assess urgent needs - which already include emergency shelter, medical care, food assistance, access to clean water and hygiene kits - with priority given to those most at risk, including the elderly, women, and girls, who suffer most when disaster strikes. Particular attention is being given to Jamaica’s small but vital Jewish community, to ensure their safety and well-being.

‍

*OLAM partners

‍