Global stars and nations rally to support Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa tore through western Jamaica with sustained winds of 185 mph. By the end of the October 28 deluge, the Category 5 storm had left entire communities damaged, homes splintered and roofless, farms flooded with livestock dead, schools shuttered, and thousands of families pushed into crisis. The psychological impact on adults, the elderly, and young children—particularly in the western parishes—has yet to be assessed.

The catastrophe has mobilized world-famous entertainers, elite athletes, powerful nations, grassroots Jamaican heroes, and a wide network of supporters.

A quick Google search reveals a broad list of reggae and dancehall acts, international pop icons, NBA superstars, Fortune 500 companies, and governments that have contributed to Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa relief effort, which has evolved into a global display of solidarity.

Numerous U.S. celebrities responded, including Academy Award–winning actor Denzel Washington, who donated US$500,000 to Jamaica’s relief efforts and urged others to help rebuild homes and schools. The Weeknd contributed US$350,000 through his XO Humanitarian Fund to the United Nations World Food Programme. Local star Sean Paul, working with Food For The Poor Jamaica, pledged to match public donations up to US$50,000. Shaggy flew to Jamaica on a private jet loaded with essential supplies, which he personally distributed to displaced families.

Tyrese Gibson traveled to Montego Bay, delivering food, water, medical supplies, and generators. Partnering with Reach Out Worldwide, he launched a global donation drive. Hip-hop superstar Drake, through his OVO brand, created a limited-edition charity hoodie, with proceeds benefiting the Rockhouse Foundation’s relief work in Westmoreland.

Rihanna, through her Clara Lionel Foundation, announced a Rebuild & Reimagine Fund for Jamaica and other Caribbean nations impacted by the storm. Rapper 21 Savage partnered with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation, pledging to double public contributions to an Emergency Match Campaign.

Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj organized a shipment of food and medical supplies. Jamaican icons also made sizable contributions. Spice mobilized 10 trucks of building supplies, care packages, clothing, and heavy machinery.

Singer Richie Stephens, who grew up in Westmoreland, delivered a truckload of care packages, water tanks, and tarpaulins using his own funds and support from friends in the diaspora.

Buju Banton organized a plane of relief items flown into Kingston, despite reports that some supplies were stolen at Norman Manley International Airport before distribution. Beenie Man mobilized his Beenieman Foundation, delivering critical items to hospitals in St. Elizabeth and Mandeville.

U.K.-based reggae singer Maxi Priest shipped supplies to the island, launched a GoFundMe campaign, and is helping raise funds at an event in London. Popcaan, Luciano, D’Angel, and Mavado also organized relief distributions across western Jamaica.

NBA PLAYERS

The U.S. sports community has stepped up significantly. NBA player Norman Powell donated US$100,000, citing Jamaica’s cultural influence on his life. Deandre Ayton, whose mother has Jamaican roots, pledged another US$100,000. Stephen Curry quietly flew into Jamaica without cameras, delivering supplies directly to shelters and recovery hubs. Other NBA stars have supported charity drives organized through their foundations.

The Miami Heat reportedly donated US$1 million to Direct Relief. The NBA and NBPA together contributed more than US$2 million toward short- and long-term recovery. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donated US$2.5 million to World Central Kitchen and Team Rubicon. The Philadelphia Union (MLS) launched a relief campaign supported by Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville, fresh off his World Championship 100m title, contributed J$500,000 to the United Way recovery fund. American star sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who has shown steady support for Jamaica, donated US$500,000 and launched a rebuilding fund specifically for damaged schools and athletic facilities.

HUMANITARIAN AID FROM COUNTRIES

Governments worldwide have deployed resources typically reserved for major international disasters:

• United States: Over US$22 million, including search-and-rescue teams, water purification systems, and emergency shelters.

• Canada: More than CA$13 million in humanitarian and infrastructure support.

• United Kingdom: £7.5 million in emergency aid, plus the deployment of HMS Trent for evacuations and supply missions.

• Dominican Republic: 628 tonnes of food, water, medical equipment, and shelters.

• Guyana: Generators, heavy-duty chainsaws, tarpaulins, and hygiene kits.

International charities—including World Central Kitchen, Food For The Poor, CORE, Project HOPE, the American Friends of Jamaica, and the World Food Programme—remain active across the hardest-hit parishes.

CORPORATE AMERICA JOINS THE FIGHT

T-Mobile launched a customer donation-matching program and shipped thousands of emergency communication devices to Jamaican relief agencies. The Walt Disney Company committed US$1 million for food, shelter, and rebuilding efforts.

Airbnb.org activated its global disaster response network, offering free emergency housing to displaced families.

United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Airlink coordinated dozens of relief flights, transporting medical teams, generators, water filters, and thousands of pounds of supplies.

Several U.S. and Caribbean banks created fee-free remittance corridors to make it easier for diaspora families to send urgent funds home.

In Queens, New York, Shaggy’s Make a Difference Foundation teamed up with promoter George Crooks of Jammins Event, Bobby Clarke of Irie Jam Foundation, and Kacy Rankine of Roadblock Radio LLC to produce the “Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert,” set for December 12, 2025, at UBS Arena.

Rankine, CEO of RoadblockRadio.com, told Caribbean National Weekly, “Hurricane Melissa tore through St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover and other parishes, but it never touched our resolve. Roadblock will rally the diaspora as we turn this moment into hope, healing, and action.”

As has been tradition since Lovindeer’s 1988 hit “Wild Gilbert,” several Jamaican acts have released songs in the storm’s aftermath. These include Badda General’s “Hurricane Melissa Song,” Aiesha Barrett’s “Jamaica Strong,” a tribute to national resilience, and Richie Stephens’ “Hurricane,” which raises awareness and support for Westmoreland.

JAMAICA THANKFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE

Debbie Ann Gordon, a board member at Food For The Poor Jamaica currently on the ground in Beeston Spring, Westmoreland, told Caribbean National Weekly, “Over three days, we reached more than 2,000 people. In addition to food and toiletries, we outfitted persons in wheelchairs, hosted a clinic with at least four doctors, a pharmacy, a dental clinic for children, and supplied 1,000 sets of agricultural tools. The churches—primarily Wesleyan Holiness—as well as the Bible College in Westmoreland, hosted and sheltered 60 of our volunteers. They have been the consistent social cushion for Westmoreland. We need more of that as part of the continuing rehabilitation.”

Despite the outpouring of global support, Gordon said the scale of destruction continues to exceed available resources. Entire communities in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and Hanover remain without housing. Farmers have lost whole crops, and thousands of families still rely on relief centers for daily meals.

“We need a national plan for the crisis we have on our hands,” she said.

Yet even amid hardship, a powerful sense of unity has emerged.

From superstars and athletes to world governments, corporate giants, and Jamaicans at home and abroad, the island is witnessing a level of solidarity rarely seen in its history—and, thankfully, more help is on the way.