/ General News

Update From ANIDA on Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa

By Samuel J. Donkor
President & Executive Director, All Nations International Development Agency
Comparison of the school classroom before Hurricane Melissa (left) and after the storm’s impact (right)
Hurricane Melissa left a serious and lasting impact across Jamaica. The communities we serve in Portmore and St. Elizabeth continue to face the effects of the storm, and recovery will take time and steady support.
 
In Goshen, many families lost their roofs and all their clothing because of the mud and debris that swept through their homes. The flooding damaged sections of the school and created conditions that made the property inaccessible for almost a week. Electricity has not yet been restored, and the community is still working carefully through cleanup and repair. The location of St. Elizabeth in a valley has also complicated drainage and slowed the recovery process.
 
Portmore experienced disruption as well, but it has stabilised more quickly. Families there are supporting neighbours and relatives while also tending to their own needs. These two communities represent more than one hundred children and their families who are connected to ANIDA.
 
I stand with these communities as they rebuild. Recovery will not happen quickly. It is not a moment that passes once the storm ends. It requires consistent presence and patient support over time. We remain committed to these communities because our work has always been about walking with families over time, not only responding in moments of crisis. Even in difficult reports, we continue to see the strength and resilience of the people in Goshen and Portmore.
 
We thank God that life was protected throughout the storm. Our focus now is to assist the cleanup effort, help restore the school environment, and provide children with essential items that will allow them to return to class once the school reopens. As homes and classrooms are restored, we also want to restore the sense of hope that children need to learn, grow, and dream again.
 
Many people have already reached out to ask how they can support. If you feel led to help, your generosity will contribute to the recovery of families who are beginning again. We will continue to share updates as recovery continues.
 
Thank you for standing with Jamaica during this time of rebuilding and hope.
About the Author:

Samuel J. Donkor is the President and Executive Director of All Nations International Development Agency (ANIDA). He brings a cross-cultural lens to global development, informed by his experience as a first-generation Canadian with Ghanaian roots, and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership (Business stream). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University.

With a background in business leadership and systems thinking, Samuel has led ANIDA’s growth from education-based programs to holistic poverty alleviation—advancing access to healthcare, clean water, sustainable income, and community-led leadership. His work centers on building scalable, locally driven solutions that foster long-term transformation.

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