Israeli and Jewish relief teams respond to Jamaica Crisis after Hurricane Melissa

Israeli and Jewish organizations such as IsraAID, SmartAID, and Chabad are working to provide humanitarian assistance to Jamaica after Category 5 Hurricane 'Melissa' wreaked havoc across the Caribbean island. The Red Cross estimates that more than 70% of Jamaica’s population is currently without electricity, and some 6,000 people are sheltering in emergency facilities. The powerful storm has already claimed at least 28 lives. The Israeli and Jewish groups are focusing on delivering essential supplies and clean water to the island nation, which is also home to about 360 Jews.

“It’s a nightmare here,” assessed Rabbi Yaakov Raskin, head of the local Chabad in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “By the time people understood the size of this storm, the airports were closed, so all we could do was ask people to pray for us."

The Rabbi recalled how the storm destroyed windows and doors in their Jamaican home. 

“It was like a tug of war for four hours, trying to keep from getting hurt by things flying everywhere,” Raskin said. 

“Right after the storm, we got on the phone with all of the 360 Jews on the island to see what they needed,” he continued. “Fortunately, no one in our community was killed, but there was tremendous damage. One woman told us that her entire house was destroyed and that she hadn’t eaten for two days. Even people who aren’t the biggest believers did a lot of praying during the storm."

Raskin articulated cautious optimism despite the considerable challenges in the country. 

“Despite the overwhelming obstacles and limited internet and electricity, we’re connecting with community members who need help and coordinating the distribution of emergency supplies,” the Rabbi said. “We have a responsibility to everyone on the island, [and] that commitment continues even as we operate with limited electricity, no water, and no internet connection."

The independent Israeli humanitarian aid organization IsraAID dispatched an emergency team to Jamaica as soon as the storm passed.  

“After we conducted a rapid needs assessment, we started focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene, which is one of the most urgent needs after a disaster like this,” an IsraAID spokesperson stated. 

IsraAID’s Senior Director of Emergency Operations Michal Bar said the organization is proud to assist people in Jamaica and around the world. 

“IsraAID is proud to be able to build on our regional presence and expertise to launch an urgent response,” Bar stated. “As with our previous responses in the region, we’ll stand with communities for as long as they need us."

Established in 2001, IsraAID has already supplied emergency aid in over 65 countries worldwide. In January, IsraAID provided humanitarian aid to fire-stricken California where multiple neighborhoods burned to the ground. 

The Israeli humanitarian organization SmartAID announced that it had delivered 10 pallets of solar power units and batteries to Jamaica. 

“When power and connectivity collapse, aid stops, rescue cannot coordinate, and families cannot reach help,” SmartAID Founding Director Shachar Zahavi explained. “Our mission is to keep essential services running in the midst of this disaster and to build resilience for what comes next."

SmartAID revealed that it has coordinated its human aid efforts with the Jamaican Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).