Hurricane Melissa began as a tropical storm and rapidly strengthened into a powerful Category 5 hurricane on Monday, October 27, becoming one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. At its peak, Melissa produced sustained winds of up to 185 miles per hour and brought torrential rainfall, dangerous flooding, landslides, storm surge, and destructive winds across the Caribbean, impacting multiple countries throughout the region. Hurricane Melissa made its first landfall as a Category 5 storm near New Hope, Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, before making a second landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday morning, October 29.

Matthew 25: Ministries responded with a comprehensive relief effort focused on meeting both urgent and long-term needs. A medical mission team was deployed to operate pop-up medical clinics directly within impacted communities where access to medical care was limited. Through these clinics, more than 350 individuals received essential medical services and support.

In addition to medical care, Matthew 25 has provided more than 500,000 meals to individuals and families affected by the storm, as well as over 250,000 pounds of essential supplies to long-term partners serving the disaster region. These comprehensive resources helped communities address immediate needs while laying the groundwork for continued recovery, which Matthew 25 will continue to support through ongoing shipments of aid.

For more information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, please visit the Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief webpage.