Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, cut a path of death and destruction through the Caribbean at the end of last month. That path started in Jamaica, where the Category 5 hurricane with winds up to 185 miles an hour devastated the country’s agricultural breadbasket and tourist resorts the economy depends on. Weakened to Category 3, the storm then struck the Blackest province of Cuba and swiped Haiti, which can’t seem to catch a break. Downgraded to Category 1, Melissa drenched the Bahamas before exiting the Caribbean basin.

At least 32 people were killed in Jamaica, a death toll likely to rise as more bodies are pulled from underneath the rubble of flattened homes and businesses. Another thirty are known to have lost their lives in Haiti, mostly from flooding.

When disaster strikes a neighbor, good neighbors help out. In this case, that means governments, expatriates and charitable citizens. Contributions of relief from all of those donors have started. They need to accelerate and increase.

Of the affected countries, Jamaica took the hardest hit, on the southwestern side of the island. Fortunately, Kingston, the capital, lies on the southeast coast and was spared the worst destruction. That means the government of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, entering its third term, should not be unduly hampered in clearing blocked roads and coordinating relief and recovery operations.

Some neighboring nations have already stepped up. The United States has donated $11 million in supplies. Here’s hoping the food for 40,000 people, six water treatment systems and emergency shelter materials are indeed an “initial” shipment, as the US Embassy in Kingston described them. The hemisphere’s dominant power and most prosperous country can afford to give more and should, notwithstanding President Trump’s “America first” aversion to foreign aid.

The much smaller United Kingdom, the former colonial ruler of Jamaica, has contributed almost as much, about $10 million. The sensible British donated 3,000 emergency shelter kits and 1,500 solar power lights. The one-time exploiter of Jamaica’s resources owes the country still more.

Even smaller countries in the region have stepped up, without putting a dollar figure on their contributions. El Salvador sent 50 tons of humanitarian aid and 300 people to rescue trapped Jamaicans. Venezuela sent 20 tons, and Barbados flew in two containers full of food kits, generators and tarpaulin.

More Jamaican-born people live outside the country than within it, and remittances from those expatriates make up a sizeable part of the nation’s economy. The diaspora and their descendants will undoubtedly send more money and goods to their families. In a sign they are already doing so, the government ordered customs agents back to work promptly to screen a flood of packages arriving through international courier services.

Prominent Jamaicans at home and abroad have announced they will provide broader relief, including Olympics sprinter Ussain Bolt and reggae star Shaggy. Entertainers are planning benefit concerts in Jamaica and other countries. Professional athletes of Jamaican descent have pledged their help too.

You don’t have to be Jamaican to contribute. The country’s government, which estimates 400,000 are in need of food, has a website where donations can be made, supportjamaica.gov.jm. If you prefer the nongovernment route, there’s Food for the Poor Jamaica at foodforthepoorja.org and American Friends of Jamaica at theajf.org.

Beyond immediate relief, Jamaica faces threats to its economy. Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth parish, the equivalent of a state and Jamaica’s breadbasket. Wind and heavy rainfall destroyed fields upon fields of crops. Shortages of vegetables are likely in the coming months, fueling price increases.

Also struck were the tourist resorts of Montego Bay, Negril and Treasure Beach. Tourism is the biggest sector of Jamaica’s economy, followed by remittances.

The hurricane caused a degree of erosion of the beaches that are major attractions of the resorts. Some damaged hotels are scheduled to reopen later this month, others not until February. International visitors can help Jamaica by rescheduling their trips, if possible, instead of heading elsewhere.

Black River in St. Elizabeth was one of the worst hit cities, with many buildings destroyed. Tours to see crocodiles in the river with the same name have long departed from the city—a relaxing, diverting dose of ecotourism. That too is a economic loss, at least for the time being.

Americans should do what they can to help Jamaica recover, through charitable donations, remittances and visits as soon as they become practicable. The State Department has raised the level of its travel advisory for Jamaica, but that warning ought not last long.

Beyond relief and recovery, Jamaica needs support to rebuild infrastructure and sustain its economy. The government, wisely, has a disaster insurance policy. But that won’t cover all the country’s losses.

It’s probably too much to hope the Trump administration will help Jamaica with its longer-term needs, but it would be a better contribution to the Caribbean region than blasting the boats of alleged drug runners out of the water.

Ronald Mitchell
Editor and Publisher, Bay State Banner