COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Compassion International is responding to the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck the Caribbean with relentless force on October 28. With sustained winds of 185 mph and rainfall exceeding 30 inches in some areas, the hurricane has left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, Haiti, eastern Cuba, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
As the death toll rises, Haiti suffers the highest number of fatalities. Across the Caribbean, more than 700,000 children have been affected, and thousands of families have been displaced due to widespread flooding, mudslides, and infrastructure collapse.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on our communities,” shares Guilbaud Saint-Cyr, National Office Director for Compassion International Haiti. “Our teams have proactively allocated funds to churches for emergency preparedness, which are now being used for initial relief efforts. Our office remains committed to empowering local churches, especially in times of crisis when their communities need them most.”
Compassion's Response
Compassion is actively working alongside its organizational partners, World Concern in Haiti and Water Mission in Jamaica, as well as its front-line church partners in Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Haiti to provide immediate relief to those affected. Current relief efforts include food, clean water, hygiene supplies, medical care, and temporary shelter.
Compassion International is a participant in the ACCORD Network, through which it proactively collaborates and shares information.
Why Compassion?
In the aftermath of a crisis, children are disproportionately impacted. Compassion’s church-driven child development model allows for rapid, localized response. With deep roots in affected communities, Compassion is uniquely positioned to meet urgent needs while supporting long-term recovery
How You Can Help
To support Compassion’s disaster response efforts, visit the donation page. To interview a member of our staff team, please contact [email protected]