Jamaica
– November 3 2025
Emergency update: Hurricane Melissa impact in Jamaica
On October 28, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 185 mph, made landfall in Jamaica as the strongest hurricane ever to hit the island.
All children, young people and staff at SOS Children's Villages Jamaica are physically safe, though many are in shock from the life-threatening disaster.
As they cope with the psychological stress, SOS Children’s Villages continues to support them with trauma-informed mental health care.
The hurricane brought catastrophic winds and flooding across Jamaica. More than half a million people remain without electricity, and thousands have been relocated to emergency shelters. The western and southern regions, including Montego Bay and St. Elizabeth, sustained the most severe damage.
In Montego Bay, our village experienced significant impact from mudslides and flooding, with damage to several family houses and infrastructure.
Our Village Director in Montego Bay said: “All life was spared. I am so relieved. All children, adolescents and staff are safe, though in major shock from the storm. We have suffered major damages caused by mudslides. Two external houses on the hill came down on us… so three of our houses suffered from mud flow. We are like a major disaster zone.”
In Kingston, our Stony Hill location reported minimal impact with houses remaining intact, though tree damage occurred throughout the property.
At SOS, children's safety and well-being is always our number one priority. Our teams remain focused on ensuring the immediate needs of all children, families and staff are met, and we are working diligently with local authorities and emergency services to assess the situation and continue planning for recovery.
To everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Melissa, our hearts are with you.
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About SOS Children's Villages in Jamaica
SOS Children's Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Jamaica since 1972. Through our villages in Montego Bay and Kingston (Stony Hill), we provide family-based care and community strengthening programs so no child grows up alone.