SALVATIONIST.CA/INTERNATIONAL-DEVELOPMENT
GLOBALLINK TERRITORIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN CANADA AND BERMUDA
Results of Hurric
ane Melissa in M
SUMMER 2026
anzanillo area, C
uba.
STRONGER TOGETHER:
A Global Response to Hurricane Melissa By Major Elaine Locke
O
n October 28, 2025, hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm. The catastrophic damage, including the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools, left more than 250,000 people without power and 15,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. Flash flooding, landslides and storm surges isolated numerous communities, overwhelming local capacities despite the Jamaican government’s mobilization of emergency services. In response, The Salvation Army stepped in to partner with the government, providing personnel, logistical resources and on-the-ground support. Existing warehouses and storage rooms across several properties in Kingston were
quickly filled as relief supplies arrived, requiring additional space to organize and distribute donations effectively. Recognizing the scale of the effort, international support was mobilized through The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London, England. Personnel from around the world worked alongside local personnel to co-ordinate aid, strengthen response efforts and ensure critical resources reached those in need. Amid the devastation, this collaborative response highlighted the power of global teamwork and compassion.
Continued on page 2