Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts from CCNY's Caribbean Students Association
- thepaper6
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By Alyssa Beaumont
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a devastating Category 5 storm; the strongest to ever make landfall on the island, with winds reaching 185 mph. These extreme winds, coupled with torrential rainfall and life-threatening storm surges (up to 13 feet in some coastal areas), flooded and demolished many homes and businesses. Areas along the eastern coast of the island — such as the town Black River and the city of Montego Bay — have seen some of the most widespread destruction. Jamaica’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, has shared aerial footage that he described as “heartbreaking” that showcased the damage sustained by the parish of St. Elizabeth, where Black River is located. As of November 3, the Jamaican government has confirmed 28 deaths related to the storm; reports of additional fatalities are still being investigated. Organized relief efforts are essential to facilitating the smoothest possible recovery for the Jamaican people.
One such effort is being made by CCNY's Caribbean Students Association (CSA), and there are various ways for the school community to participate.
CSA has launched a campus-wide initiative to assist 250 families impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In partnership with the University of Technology campus, located in Montego Bay, CSA will be donating essential supplies: clothing, hygiene products, emergency items, and non-perishable foods such as canned goods. The University of Technology and CSA are working collaboratively to facilitate the distribution of the supplies once they arrive in Jamaica.
Donations can be dropped off at the Colin Powell School (NAC 6/293) until Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Pick-up requests are also available. Additional information about all of CSA’s efforts can be found on CSA’s Instagram page, @ccnycsa.
Students, faculty, and staff may utilize any of these opportunities to support the people of Jamaica as they navigate this extremely difficult time.
Alyssa Beaumont is a freshman at The City College of New York, majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism. She joined The Paper to hone her writing skills and gain experience in the world of journalism. She is a novice movie buff who loves expressing herself creatively.
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