Jamaica Disaster Relief

The Need

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica is facing an acute humanitarian and public health emergency. The Category 5 storm brought catastrophic winds topping 185 MPH, flooding, and infrastructure collapse, leaving hospitals damaged, clinics overwhelmed, and many communities cut off from essential services. Thousands of families have been displaced and are now seeking temporary shelter with limited access to clean water, food, and medical care. As injuries, infections, and waterborne diseases continue to rise, the capacity of local health systems has been severely strained. Immediate medical support is critical. Skilled healthcare professionals from all specialties are urgently needed to provide emergency and primary care, triage and wound management, maternal and child health services, mental health and psychosocial support, and disease prevention education. Their service will be vital in saving lives, reducing suffering, and supporting Jamaica’s recovery during this critical period. Jamaica needs you and is calling us like never before.  Come join IMR and ‘Be The Good’.

Our Work

IMR is deploying Disaster Area Response Teams (DART) to Jamaica’s hardest-hit regions following Hurricane Melissa. In partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness of Jamaica and local organizations, IMR has launched a coordinated response to deliver emergency and sustained healthcare services to affected communities.

Field clinics will provide comprehensive care, including acute and emergency treatment, triage and wound management, maternal and child health services, dental and hygiene support, mental health and trauma counseling, and community-based health education focused on disease prevention and sanitation.

With extensive global experience in disaster response, IMR is uniquely equipped to rapidly mobilize medical and non-medical professionals to areas where access to care is most limited. IMR is actively recruiting physicians, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, dentists, public health specialists, and skilled volunteers to support logistics, patient care, and community outreach.

To sustain these operations, IMR is collecting critical donations to fund lifesaving interventions and distribute essential supplies such as medicines, first-aid materials, hygiene kits, water purification tools, PPE, and nutritional support for displaced families. Through these coordinated efforts, IMR seeks to restore health, stability, and resilience across Jamaica in the aftermath of this devastating storm.

This Mission

Hurricane Melissa—a powerful Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 180 mph—has caused catastrophic damage across Jamaica, resulting in widespread flooding, infrastructure collapse, and displacement of families. Entire communities, particularly along the southern and western coasts, are in crisis. Hospitals and clinics are damaged or overwhelmed, and access to clean water, electricity, and medical supplies remains severely limited.

IMR’s mission is to provide immediate and ongoing healthcare relief to those most affected. Working alongside Jamaican authorities and health partners, IMR’s DART teams will establish field clinics to deliver urgent care, manage injuries and infections, provide maternal and child health support, address mental health needs, and educate communities on hygiene and disease prevention.

This is a call to serve with purpose and professionalism. Volunteers—both medical and non-medical—are invited to bring their expertise, compassion, and resilience to this mission. Your participation will help deliver lifesaving care, comfort, and hope to those in desperate need.

Join IMR’s Jamaica Disaster Response Team and be part of a global effort that transforms compassion into action and service into lasting impact.

Lodging/Transportation

DISASTER RELIEF INCLUDES NO FOOD RATIONS OR ACCOMMODATIONS.  FLIGHTS NEED TO BE BOOKED ON YOUR OWN.  DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS PRIOR TO BEING APPROVED FOR THE MISSION.

As this is a disaster response mission, we’re calling on volunteers who are ready to serve with strength, flexibility, and compassion. Because conditions in the field can be unpredictable, every team member must be fully self-sustaining—bringing their own food, drinking water, and water purification supplies to ensure we can immediately focus on helping those in greatest need.

Once you register, you’ll receive a comprehensive packing list and detailed instructions to help you prepare. Your readiness allows IMR to deliver critical relief quickly and effectively to communities that need us most.

Highlights

The greatest reward for helping people in a disaster through volunteering is the profound sense of purpose that comes from easing another’s suffering when they need it most. In moments of chaos and loss, your presence brings hope, comfort, and humanity. The gratitude in a survivor’s eyes, the teamwork that forms among strangers, and the knowledge that your hands and heart made a real difference become priceless gifts that stay with you forever. Beyond the immediate impact, you leave with a deeper understanding of compassion, resilience, and the shared strength that binds us all — a reminder that even in the darkest times, kindness is the brightest light.

Itinerary at a Glance