Survivors in Jamaica struggle to rebuild after Melissa

ST. ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA — “Other people in the area, like over the hill,” Maxine Brown says as she points over the horizon.

“No house. Everybody flat, flat, flat.”

Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Parish looks like a warzone one week after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating, record-breaking landfall. Brown and her young family ran for their lives after winds well over 100 mph destroyed their home. They now sleep in vehicles, under trees, and in metal drums every night.

“No water, no food, no shelter,” Brown laments, “We have small babies, nothing to give them to eat. Nothing to give them to drink. It’s a bad situation, honestly.”

It’s a devastating story shared by thousands on the island.

“We are desperately in need of help and food at this time,” says Sheryl Ledgister.

Many people in rural inland Jamaica are self-employed and rely on subsistence farming to keep themselves fed. After near-total destruction in her neighborhood, Ledgister is worried about the weeks and months to come.

“I don’t even have an appetite to eat because I’m concerned about families and children, and all of that,” Ledgister adds, “So, at this time, it’s overwhelming. I’m just devastated.”

But help is on the way.

“There’s a lot of need here, and Convoy is here for the long term to deliver that need,” says Ethan Forhetz.

Forhetz is with the humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope as they reach out to the hardest-hit areas to give lifesaving aid.

“It’s worse than you think. It’s worse than the pictures that you’ve seen,” says a dejected Forhetz, “It’s devastating, and it’s going to be a very long time before things get back to normal here.”

Forhetz says nonperishable food, water, and tents are the top three items survivors need right now. The help is appreciated, but a long road is ahead of survivors as they rebuild their lives – and the island they call home.

“All we have to say is, if you can help us, please do, because we’re badly in need of it,” pleads Brown.

Click HERE to learn more about how to help Jamaican survivors through Convoy of Hope.