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“Months have passed… and here we are, still.”
That’s what families across Jamaica told Good360’s Disaster Response and Recovery team in January—nearly three months after Hurricane Melissa tore up the island. The storm may be out of the headlines, but for Jamaicans, its effects are still massive.
What our team encountered was stark and sobering: the devastation is not over.
Not for the parents trying to keep their children dry in a home without a roof. Not for the schools who want teachers and students to return to classrooms. Not for the small business owners whose livelihoods washed away overnight. Not for the communities working tirelessly to rebuild with limited resources.
Life After Melissa: Living in the Aftermath
Months after the October 2025 hurricane, Jamaicans continue to confront the raw and unsettling aftermath of a storm that has reshaped their everyday lives. The storm carved a path of destruction that remains etched into daily life. The western provinces remain marked by widespread damage, roofs torn completely away, shattered windows, persistent power outages, and homes left open to the elements. Houses that once held generations now stand partially gutted, leaving families crowded into damaged spaces or living in unsafe conditions.
The physical destruction, though severe, tells only part of the story. The economic impact has been equally destabilizing. Small businesses that once brought life and stability to their communities remain shuttered, leaving many households without a reliable source of income. Many hotels—cornerstones of Jamaica’s tourism-driven economy—are still closed or operating at drastically reduced capacity, contributing to a ripple effect of job loss and economic strain across the island.
Children want their schools back.
Schools are still missing critical materials and solid roofs, with damaged classrooms waiting for repairs that local communities simply cannot fund on their own.
In the fishing village of Whitehouse, Good360 partner Sandals Foundation has helped preschoolers return to school, much to their delight.
“The children… were so excited!”
“They ran up to the gate, calling ‘Teacher!’” said principal Michelle Whittingham, of the children’s return to school. Four of the school’s nine classrooms were destroyed by the storm, and temporary tarps, tents, and modular buildings helped students get back to school after a two-month hiatus.
But the tarps make the rooms hot, and they leak. Students at this much-needed, free government preschool can’t afford to replace all their books and supplies. Ongoing support is needed to help Jamaican children stay in school.
Along the coast, fishing villages are marked by overturned boats resting half-buried in sand, and essential fishing equipment lies broken or swept out to sea, stripping away the primary source of income for many households.
Through all of this, one theme rose again and again in every conversation, every home and school visit, and every community gathering:
People want their livelihoods back.
Residents need the tools, materials, and comfort of basic supplies that will allow them to rebuild their homes, restart work, support their children’s return to school and daily life. These “self-starter” resources are consistently named as the most meaningful form of assistance—because they empower individuals to regain agency and rebuild their futures with dignity.
“We’ll bounce back faster” with supplies.
Fisher folk need wire to rebuild their nets and fiberglass to patch their boats, some of which Good360’s local partner has been able to deploy. But more is needed. When parents can work and earn money, kids can stay in school, and the whole region can recover faster.
A Family’s Journey: The Salmons’ Story of Strength
For the Salmon family, recovery has meant facing the unimaginable with courage.
When Hurricane Melissa hit, Navardo Salmon and his family huddled with their 22-month-old daughter, Yashora, under the floorboards of their home—the only place they believed might protect them from the intensifying storm. Above them, they could hear the force of the wind tearing their roof away and shattering structures, leaving everything they owned exposed to the storm.
In the weeks and months that followed, life became a daily act of endurance. In Navardo’s words, life was “very hard.” Living without a roof can mean constant vulnerability: to rain, to heat, to insects, and feeling unprotected. Good360’s nonprofit partner, Global Empowerment Mission, rebuilt the Salmons’ roof, along with hundreds of others in the area for vulnerable families. They built back stronger, using hurricane straps Good360 supplied, to future-proof the homes as hurricane season approaches again.
Living under a tarp is incredibly hot and insecure, and having solid roofs again puts families on the path to recovery. But recovery isn’t just about restoring structures. It’s also about restoring comfort and emotional safety.
During visits with the Salmons and other impacted families, Good360 provided new blankets donated by Disney, to the delight of children. It may seem simple, but for families who have lost nearly everything, the soft weight of a warm blanket is powerful. It signals care. It offers comfort. It reminds them that they are not alone.
For the Salmons, and so many others, these layers of support—structural, emotional, and practical—are the foundation of true recovery.
Looking Ahead
Good360 remains committed to Jamaica’s long-term recovery—long after headlines fade.
While many responders have already left, Good360 remains committed to Jamaica’s long-term recovery on all fronts. Jamaica needs steady partners who can help communities rebuild not just structures, but the stability and opportunity that storms so often strip away. This work doesn’t end when the debris is cleared or when the headlines fade. It continues for years.
By coordinating closely with local leaders, nonprofits, and community members, Good360 aims to ensure that the right resources reach the right people at the right time. This strategic approach enables communities not only to recover, but to emerge stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to withstand future challenges. Together, these efforts help ensure that families can not only rebuild their homes but also reclaim the livelihoods that allow their communities to thrive again.
