United Way Trinidad and Tobago mobilizes over $900k in support to Jamaica for Hurricane Melissa
January 7th, 2026 | Related To: United Way Trinidad and Tobago
United Way Trinidad and Tobago (UWTT) has mobilised close to TTD $917,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The funds were raised through UWTT’s “Our Hearts Are With Jamaica” Campaign launched in October 2025.
UWTT along with Southern Sales and Services Limited, bp Trinidad and Tobago, Republic Bank Limited, Atlantic LNG, TSTT and other individuals contributed over TTD $917,000 to support our Jamaican United Way partner (United Way of Jamaica) relief and recovery action plan.
“When disaster strikes anywhere in our region, it affects us all,” said Gail Sooknarine, Chief Executive Officer of United Way Trinidad and Tobago. “This campaign reflects the power of collective action — bringing together corporate partners, donors, and communities to move beyond emergency relief and invest in recovery that restores dignity, livelihoods, and long-term resilience.”
United Way Jamaica’s aim is to strengthen Jamaica’s agricultural systems, support infrastructural rehabilitation and focus on restoring livelihoods that were affected by the hurricane. Phase One responds to affected families providing food packages, hygiene kits, water, shelter, and temporary support to households. Phase Two focuses on restoring agricultural activity and stabilizing local economies. In partnership with the Jamaica Agricultural Society and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, United Way Jamaica is distributing seeds, fertilizer, livestock feed, and greenhouse materials to farming families.
UWTT brings significant regional disaster response experience to this effort, having supported Earthquake Relief in Haiti in 2010, Hurricane Maria Relief in 2017, the local Greenvale Floods in 2018, Soufrière Volcano relief in St. Vincent 2021, and Hurricane Beryl Relief in 2024.
These experiences have reinforced the importance of moving beyond immediate assistance to ensure sustained investment in recovery.
United Is the Way we Heal, Recover, and Transform Lives.
