Senior Westmoreland resident Georgiana Bell breaks down in tears and is embraced by Stephanie Josephs, a member of the Crisis Support Charity team. Bell’s house was destroyed by the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa and she was left hungry for many days as she could not access the drop-off points where very limited care packages were distributed. She was grateful to the Crisis Support team. 

The scenes of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in south-western Jamaica has been very touching for some volunteers and relief responders who have been fighting to keep their emotions under control as they help those displaced by the destructive Category 5 storm which hit Jamaica on October 28.

Local non-profit organisation Crisis Support Charity has been doing relief work in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth since the passage of the hurricane and based on the experience of the team members, the situation in both parishes was not pretty, according to co-founder Luke Josephs.

A Crisis Support team went into the parishes with their medical partners to offer health care and medication for the most vulnerable, children and senior citizens. The team also distributed clothes, food, and water to the residents.