Urgent Appeal – Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica

Help DAUSA Responds Immediately to a Cat 5 Hurricane, Co-founder Larry Agee arrives Weds with Starlink communications systems and Sawyer Water filters. DAUSA is coordinating with local authorities and Rotarians through their District Disaster Committee.

Disaster Aid USA is also Partnering with Ground Force Humanitarian and several other NGOs is establishing Ground Force's "Safe Camp"

See update From Rob Gaudet with Ground force on a major update

Major Update

Our SAFE Camp location has officially moved from Jarrett Park to the Montego Bay Convention Center — a significant upgrade that will provide expanded space, improved infrastructure, and stronger security once operational. This strategic move positions us to better support collaborating nonprofits and serve vulnerable communities across the region.

We are also actively assessing a secondary site at Content Community Centre and Sports Complex in Adelphi, Jamaica, as a potential satellite location to expand our outreach and support capacity in rural communities.

Upcoming Milestone

Cargo Arrival Scheduled: A major shipment of equipment and supplies for SAFE Camp is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, November 3, via Operation Airdrop. This cargo includes essential infrastructure such as tents, generators, water systems, communications tech, and volunteer support gear.

Current Status: SAFE Camp – Montego Bay Convention Center

SAFE Camp is not yet operational. Full activation is pending cargo arrival and setup, which is anticipated to begin immediately upon delivery.

Once deployed, SAFE Camp will provide:

• Supply and medical tents, volunteer coordination
• Meals, showers, team rally point, fuel, and internet
• Starlink communications, potable water systems, debris tools

All teams entering the camp must pass background checks. Organizational check-in and coordination protocols are in place and ready to activate once setup is complete.

Why this matters

Hurricane Melissa strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane, meaning sustained winds of 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher. National Hurricane Center+1
At this level, the potential destruction is catastrophic:

• A high percentage of framed homes were destroyed; roof failure and wall collapse become common. CBS News+1
• Fallen trees and power poles will isolate entire communities, and power outages may last for weeks to months. National Hurricane Center+1
• Widespread flooding and storm surge accompany such storms, greatly increasing humanitarian need.

Disaster Aid USA is already coordinating with local Jamaican authorities and Rotary District leadership. DAUSA’s Co-Founder & Executive Director, Larry Agee, is deploying on the ground as soon as conditions permit to:

• Conduct rapid assessment of needs on the ground
• Relay real-time situation updates to our Rotary District partners in the U.S., donors and supporting organizations
• Activate our logistics network and collaborate with local resources to move critical aid supplies and equipment

With your support, we will work to:

• Utilize local resources as much as possible to support the community and boost resilience
• Activate our logistics partners to ship supplies not available locally (water-filtration, emergency shelter kits, power/generator support, etc.)
• Set up volunteer coordination, community distributions, and shelter support in affected parishes

Call to action

Please donate now. Share this appeal with your network — family, friends, colleagues, social media circles. The sooner we secure funding, the faster we can pre-position supplies and respond effectively when Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.

Thank you for standing with Disaster Aid USA — together we will bring hope, relief and recovery to the people of Jamaica.