As you know recently Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica and surrounding islands with all of her wrath! I have been in contact with Rotary in Jamaica and their District Governor Bill Aiken to offer our help as Rotarians. The image shows a QR, offering a direct way to respond and help and the continuation of this article offers more information.
Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica and Neighboring Islands — Rotary Calls for Urgent Financial Aid to Support Affected Communities
Jamaica, the home country of our District Governor, Bill Aiken, has been devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The storm has also impacted Haiti, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos. More will be posted as the impact becomes clear, but what is needed IMMEDIATELY is financial assistance that can be turned into grants to support our communities, led by Rotarians with personal local contacts. Please use the QR code or the URL to donate directly to a ring-fenced account for direct Jamaica aid, or to the Disaster Network of Assistance Rotary Action Group, a USA-based 501(c)(3) organization, which is a tax-beneficial way to direct financial donations in the USA.
In the Wake of Tragedy, Rotary Rises
I want to extend heartfelt sympathy to my Fellow Rotarians in Jamaica and Haiti, particularly those Rotarians from Western Jamaica and Southern Haiti who have experienced devastation from this unprecedented Category 5 hurricane. Twenty-five deaths from flooding have been reported from Haiti, and thus far, we are aware of eleven deaths in Jamaica as a consequence of the hurricane. Aerial footage of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, where Melissa made landfall, reveals a heartbreaking picture of near-total destruction.
In my capacity as District Governor, I want to assure the people of Jamaica and Haiti that Rotarians at the district, zone, and international level have been working behind the scenes to activate Rotary's relief and recovery efforts to assist the people of Jamaica and Haiti, once it is safe to do so. Rotary is not a first responder, and Rotary's strength lies in its role as a long-term partner in recovery efforts after a disaster, once first responders have finished their activities.
The district's recovery committee is already working to coordinate and deliver support, organize funding opportunities, ensure credible communication, and provide guidance on projects related to recovery efforts. We encourage clubs to assess their affected communities and plan projects to facilitate recovery. We are our brother's keeper, and it is crucial that we look out for each other and help those who have been affected. The district has widely shared a flyer outlining where funds can be sent to support relief and recovery efforts.
I want to thank Rotarians from across the district for your prayerful support, your words of reassurance and encouragement, and your generous donations in assisting with the relief and recovery efforts.
Caribbean people are extremely resilient, and we will bounce back bigger and better! Again, my sympathies to all who have lost family, friends, and loved ones due to Hurricane Melissa.
Let us support each other in a spirit of unity, collaboration, and solidarity, guided by our presidential message, “Unite For Good!”
William (Bill) Aiken
District Governor 2025-2026
Rotary International District 7020