Relief efforts across Canada are rapidly intensifying to support Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, with a strong emphasis on assisting seasonal farm workers whose families and communities suffered widespread destruction. 

“The people of Jamaica are strong, yet this moment demands all hands. The collective support from employers and citizens in Canada strengthens our national recovery and brings hope to families facing hardship,” said Pearnel Charles, Jr, Minister of Labour and Social Security. 

The Jamaican Liaison Service (JLS) has confirmed that employers, diaspora groups, and civic organisations throughout Southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada have activated major collection drives that combine general household relief with targeted financial aid for affected workers. 

Since the hurricane’s impact, the Jamaican farm worker community has been one of the most heavily affected segments of the population. Many workers in Canada are now grappling with uncertainty about the well-being of their families back home, while urgently trying to help rebuild damaged homes and farms. 

Employer-Led Action: Direct Help to Jamaican Workers 

In the Medford Clarksburg apple belt of Ontario, employers have co-launched a GoFundMe campaign dedicated to supporting the 620 Jamaican farm workers deployed to the region this year. Funds raised are intended to go directly toward rebuilding homes, replacing necessities, and stabilising family livelihoods. 

“Our workers are worried about homes. They may be here in Canada, but their hearts are in Jamaica. This relief effort is our way of standing with them and ensuring their families feel supported as they rebuild,” said Althea Riley, Chief Liaison Officer, Jamaican Liaison Service (Toronto).

Across Canada, employers are providing both material supplies and personal assistance, including: 

• Bottled water and non-perishable food 
• Bedding, towels, and temporary shelter materials 
• Hygiene products and sanitation supplies 
• Flashlights, batteries, and protective rain gear 
• Farming and household tools 
• Solar lanterns and generators 

Many employers have also offered cash support and other direct financial assistance to help families recover quickly. 

Diaspora Solidarity Strengthens National Recovery 

Relief items are being coordinated for shipment to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica, ensuring the support reaches the most vulnerable households efficiently. 

“The outpouring of support from Canadian employers and the Jamaican diaspora reinforces the strength of this longstanding programme. When disaster strikes, that partnership becomes more than economic. It becomes personal,” said Colette Roberts Risden, Permanent Secretary, Jamaica Central Labour Organisation, responsible for the Jamaica Overseas Employment Programme. 

The Jamaica-Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker partnership is approaching six decades of service, and the current mobilisation demonstrates the deep interdependence between Canada’s agricultural supply chain and Jamaican workforce resilience. 

How to Support 

Details on verified drop-off points, employer drives, and digital donation channels will be shared by the Jamaican Liaison Service and the Jamaican High Commission in Canada in coordination with ODPEM.