Hurricane Melissa slammed into Cuba after devastating Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history.

While the full extent of the damage was not yet clear, relief organizations are already mobilizing to help across the northern Caribbean.

Here are some ways to support people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and beyond. Follow the links to learn more about the organizations and how to donate.

As always, experts recommend making sure a charity is legitimate before you donate and choosing groups that are well-established. You can find information about them on GuideStar and Charity Navigator.

Photos: The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa

United Way of Jamaica: The 40-year-old nonprofit has a history of supporting Jamaicans after disasters. The Kingston-based group accepts cash donations.

American Friends of Jamaica: The organization’s Disaster Relief Fund provides emergency aid and recovery support across Jamaica.

CORE: The organization’s local staff is already responding in Haiti and will arrive in Jamaica when airports reopen to deliver relief items like hygiene kits and tarps, conduct medical assessments, and distribute immediate cash assistance. The group, which was active in Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, will also help households remove debris and rebuild homes. The Los Angeles-based nonprofit is accepting cash donations to its Emergency Response Fund.

Footprint Project: The solar-energy nonprofit supplies communities and first responders with temporary power equipment to aid their response and restore communications. The New Orleans-based group is accepting cash donations to support staffing and logistics, as well as in-kind donations of “turn-key” renewable power technologies that can be rapidly shipped. Equipment donations can be coordinated through give@footprintproject.org.

Airlink: Airlink works with major airlines like United and American, using their underbelly cargo space to move critical aid to disaster zones. It is moving cargo to Jamaica on behalf of 16 NGOs, including World Food Programme and Mercy Corps. It will also charter at least two planes to move more goods for its partners, free of charge. The Washington, D.C.-based group accepts cash donations and donations of United frequent flyer miles.

Direct Relief: The humanitarian organization will support health facilities in impacted areas with medicines and other supplies. The group also sent 100 field-medic packs for Jamaica’s National Health Fund, and is working with the Pan American Health Organization to preposition supplies for Cuba.

Good360: The group connects corporate donors who have surplus, high-quality supplies with nonprofits that need those items. Good360 is accepting cash donations to support delivery of these supplies.

The American Red Cross: The organization coordinates with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide essential services like shelter, food, water and safe transfers to medical facilities. The American Red Cross Restoring Family Links program helps reconnect families separated by international crises such as conflict, disaster or migration. You can also sign up to volunteer here.

World Central Kitchen: WCK’s relief team is in Jamaica working with local partners to serve meals to families impacted by the storm. You can donate here.

Save the Children: The organization is on the ground in the Dominican Republic and Haiti providing clean water, food, hygiene kits as well as medical care and emergency shelter for children and their families. Save the Children is not responding in Jamaica at this time.

Project HOPE: The organization’s emergency response team is on the ground in Jamaica to provide shelter items for displaced communities, medical supplies, water, sanitation, hygiene needs and mental health support in the most affected communities. 

Mercy Corps: Teams in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic will provide clean water, food, solar power, and emergency supplies to help families cope and recover from the storm.

Global Empowerment Mission: GEM BStrong supports disaster areas with non-perishables and other supplies like shoes, clothing, soap, toothbrushes, electrolyte packets and other hygiene items. The group also helps with repairs to damaged homes and evacuating the needy to seek care in other countries. You can also help by donating supplies through their Amazon Wishlist.

Jamaican officials said there was extensive damage in the island’s southwestern and northwestern regions, but that the total damage is still unknown.