The Chinese business community in western Jamaica has mobilised more than J$100 million in hurricane relief supplies for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

 LCH Developments led an immediate response that began just hours after the storm passed.

LCH’s construction partner, Brothers Concepts & Solutions Limited, deployed bulldozers and heavy machinery to clear blocked roads instantly, opening crucial access for food and water deliveries to isolated residents. The Chinese community has since distributed approximately J$30 million in care packages, with another J$100 million in relief supplies being prepared for deployment, according to Yangsen Li, CEO of LCH Developments.

“We are one resilient family, united by hope,” Li said on Thursday as his team distributed supplies in the Black River and White House areas of St. Elizabeth. “This is a challenging moment, but it is also a time for swift, collective action. We are committed to helping our Jamaican brothers and sisters rise stronger from this devastation.”

The relief operation, conducted in partnership with Agriculture Minister Floyd Green and Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, has sent supplies to Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and St James. Li is also rallying additional contributions from overseas Chinese donors. The group is now sourcing tarpaulins and container houses to provide urgent temporary shelter for residents whose homes were destroyed.

Principal donors include LCH Developments, Brothers Concepts & Solutions, Guangfu Hardware, Caribbean Solar Life, Total Tools, Top Fashion, and Top Mart, as well as numerous other enterprises.

Green, who toured affected communities, emphasised that the partnership has been crucial for reaching remote, cut-off areas. “I’m very happy for the support of the Chinese community coming to help us, especially in these remote areas,” he said on Wednesday. “The more you get access, the more you see the full extent of the damage.”

Green confirmed that most homes in southern St. Elizabeth suffered severe roof damage, with many structures destroyed.  Hundreds of families are benefiting from the targeted relief effort, which prioritises small, isolated communities unable to reach main distribution centres.

“What we’re trying to do… is to go into the remote communities,” Green explained. “It’s harder in terms of distribution… but it definitely reaches the ones who need it the most.” He identified immediate needs as tarpaulins for roof coverage, solar-powered lights, and generators, noting the extensive damage to the power grid. “The damage here is much more severe,” he said, recalling how electricity restoration took months after previous storms.

Mayor Vernon, who joined distribution efforts in Canterbury and other St. James locations, praised the collaboration with local authorities.

He stated, “This is a challenging moment, but the resilience of our community, backed by the crucial partnership with the Chinese business community, ensures we will recover stronger. Montego Bay is our beloved city, and by working together, we are taking care of it and doing all that is necessary for our revival.”   

The relief effort continues as communities struggle with ongoing rain following Hurricane Melissa’s landfall on October 28, which brought category five destructive winds and heavy rainfall to Jamaica’s western parishes.