In the wake of a monstrous category 5 storm making its way to the shores of Jamaica, a growing 11,000 hashtags of support, #PrayForJamaica, have flooded Instagram, turning awareness into action around the world. As the people from the land of wood and water begin the long road to recovery from one of the strongest hurricanes to strike the island in the 21st century, a more vulnerable population on the island falls prey to the storm’s devastating aftermath. Being poor in Jamaica during the recovery of Hurricane Melissa extends beyond poverty measured by income, revealing deep-seated inequalities in health care, education and basic living conditions that the hurricane has exposed in its wake.

The Extensive Damage of Hurricane Melissa

When a category five hurricane washes up on a country’s shore, it does not just arrive with its share of catastrophic rains and howling winds. Instead, the insatiable storm consumes everything in its path, including the lives of families, homes and communities forced to rebuild from the wreckage. After one of the worst natural disasters to hit Jamaica, the Caribbean island looks a lot different from before the devastating storm took its toll on the coastal region. What once was a tropical paradise celebrated for its divine beauty and vibrant culture now sits underwater, stagnant in the remains of one of the strongest hurricanes to strike the island in the 21st century.

With at least 32 reported lives lost on the island, and estimated catastrophic loss between $2.2 billion and $4.2 billion USD in damages, entire communities have been demolished, leaving many families without a place to call home.

Jamaican influencer One Love Jamaica took to his YouTube channel to document Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic damage across the island. Departing from his usual content of giving viewers a taste of Jamaican culture, food and music, the man behind One Love Jamaica spoke to his more than 19,000 followers with a new message. In a Skyview camera-mounted video peering over one of the most affected regions on Jamaica’s southern coast, St. Elizabeth’s parish, the native-born creator narrates, “Many residents here are trapped inside their own communities, watching the world behind a wall of water they cannot cross,” solemnly adding that, “People are waking up every day to uncertainty, unsure of what the future holds for a place they call home.” This storm has left an unimaginable loss throughout the community, however, even in the midst of the chaos, hope persists for brighter days ahead.

Being Poor in Jamaica

Even before the storm struck, Jamaica faced economic instability with a global poverty report revealing that “nearly 79,000 Jamaicans, which is about 2.8% of the population, were already living in multidimensional poverty, surviving on less than $3 USD a day.” Hurdles to necessities have only intensified with Hurricane Melissa, making poverty and natural disasters an entangled issue for those struggling to stay afloat under its weight.

Speaking with a resident of St. Elizabeth, One Love Jamaica provided insight into the personal struggles facing impoverished islanders. Against the background of the storm’s devastation, resident Ann-Marie McDonald-Samon shares her story with the audience: “During this storm, my house has been damaged, the roof is gone, and the clothing. I am asking Jamaica, or those who have not been affected by the storm, if they can send some assistance to us.” As the camera pans across the community, it is evident that Ann-Marie’s struggle is not one she bears alone. With friends, family and the neighbors standing together in the wreckage of the havoc that has knocked at each door.

The Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

Answering to a community’s prayer, Jamaica has leaned on communities beyond its borders in its recovery efforts. Relief Missions for the region began almost immediately in the aftermath of the storm, making sure to cover all those impacted by the rage of Melissa. This includes support across the impacted Caribbean islands from organizations such as Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), which has committed more than $20 million in aid for Jamaica. This has translated to a staggering 500 metric tons of aid per week, including 18 cargo planes and containers of food, and two cruise ships carrying emergency aid to the island’s shores.

International Aid

Coordinated efforts from international partners have also stepped in including the United States, which has donated $37 million since November 12th, Canada, which has provided $11 million with an additional $6 million for disaster preparedness and recovery, and the United Kingdom, which has contributed $9.8 million in total relief. These combined efforts from some of the world’s most influential governments and nonprofits have ensured all hands are on deck to contribute to the community’s cry’s for need are not unmet. 

The Results of #PrayforJamaica

While helping hands have stretched across the island, ripples of compassion have extended to likes and shares online. In recent weeks, social media users have taken to their platforms to show their support for recovery efforts following the island’s devastating loss. Through the power of #PrayforJamaica, users have mobilized their collective relief efforts, sharing prayers, donation links and additional information to help those who the storm’s devastation most affected. 

Digital solidarity has contributed to people making donations towards nonprofit agencies such as Mercy Corps, Food For The Poor Jamaica and American Friends of Jamaica ( AFJ).​​ These organizations have used the flood of monetary donations to contribute to the community’s dire needs to repair infrastructure, rebuild homes, restore power and clean water and provide sanctuary for displaced individuals as they navigate loss. 

Being poor in Jamaica requires more than temporary means of aid but long-term investments that ensure they remain on their feet. These initiatives are true recovery efforts that ensure stability and last beyond a hurricane.

A Lasting Message of Unity

In his video, “St.Elizabeth is Drowning After Hurricanes,” One Love Jamaica centers on the lives that the passage of Hurricane Melissa touched. A video that has garnered more than 210,000 views has introduced an online platform on the natural disasters that impact real people. It captures roads that have halted the traveling of cars, communities unable to travel by foot over the land surrounded by water, and many other personal stories like Ann-Marie, where every dollar and share makes a difference in their daily lives. 

With sky view footage, One Love Jamaica reminds viewers of the persistent resilience of the Jamaican people. Ending the video with a lasting message of unity that no storm could drown, he said that “People are offering strength to each other in the darkest of moments –  this is the Jamaican spirit.” 

One Love Jamaica’s inspirational message embodies the resilient spirit in his home country and across digital borders. In the wake of a ravenous storm that has torn through hospitals, churches, schools and homes, poor Jamaicans are able to keep hope of a prosperous future as they continue to rebuild with strength with the little they have.

– Megan Omolo

Megan is based in Willingboro, NJ, USA and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash