The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an early response operation to support Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, approaches the island. The hurricane is already producing devastating storm surges along Jamaica’s southern coast and is expected to bring destructive winds and up to 750 mm of rainfall over the next two to three days. With a high risk of flooding, landslides, and severe damage, the Government of Jamaica has sought assistance from the United Nations and international partners to bolster its emergency preparedness and response efforts.
Natasha Greaves, IOM Jamaica’s Interim Head of Office, emphasized that the organization is working closely with national authorities to pre-position critical supplies and personnel. She underscored IOM’s commitment to saving lives and ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable with dignity and care.
To meet urgent humanitarian needs, IOM is sending emergency relief supplies from its Caribbean Logistics Hub in Barbados, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). The shipment includes essential items such as hygiene kits, solar lamps, blankets, air mattresses, shelter repair kits, and generators, identified as priorities by the Government of Jamaica. The supplies are expected to arrive in Kingston later this week.
IOM is also partnering with DHL for customs and logistics and with Microsoft for the use of satellite imagery to assess damage and guide data-driven responses in the aftermath of the storm. Additional partnerships and donations are being encouraged to further assist displaced communities.
Staff from across the Caribbean are being deployed to strengthen IOM’s Jamaica operations, including through participation in the CDEMA-led Rapid Needs Assessment Team. Coordination with national authorities and the UN system is ongoing to ensure that all assistance aligns with Jamaica’s emergency management protocols and supports a cohesive national response.
Drawing on lessons from previous hurricane responses, IOM highlighted its readiness to deliver technical, logistical, and coordination support as part of Jamaica’s integrated disaster management system. The organization continues to urge the public to follow evacuation orders and official updates to stay safe during the storm.
IOM’s emergency response has been made possible through the support of EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Good360, Amazon, and IOM’s Flexible Funding Mechanism, which collectively enable the organization to act rapidly and effectively in crises such as Hurricane Melissa.
