Assessment and Response to Hurricane Melissa, Haiti 2025
A Devastating Reality
Hurricane Melissa has left a deep mark on our beloved Haiti. Over the past days, I have walked through the affected areas in Gressier and neighboring communities, witnessing destruction that words can hardly describe. Homes have been washed away, crops destroyed, and families left without food or shelter. For an already struggling country, this storm has multiplied our pain and uncertainty.
I have seen mothers crying over lost belongings, fathers standing helplessly before collapsed houses, and children trying to find comfort amidst chaos. As an agricultural nation, losing our crops means facing severe food insecurity in the coming months. This is not just a natural disaster—it is a humanitarian crisis that affects every aspect of life.
The Impact on Our Ministry and Church Family
Our ministry has not been spared. Some of our church members lost their homes and personal belongings. Several of our ministry sites became temporarily inaccessible because of flooding and road damage. Yet in the middle of all this, I praise God that my family, some of our local church members, and our teams are safe.
Through God's Church of Jubot-Haiti, we have been on the ground from the very beginning—visiting affected families, assessing damages, praying with those in despair, and distributing what little we could find. It has been emotionally and physically exhausting, but we are sustained by God's strength and by the hope that His light still shines in the darkest moments.
Our Initial Response
From the first day, we focused on being present where the need was greatest. With the help of church volunteers, we provided emergency food supplies, clean water, and temporary shelter in the church building.
Some of the food that had been set aside for our regular feeding program was immediately distributed to the most vulnerable families who were left with absolutely nothing after the hurricane. We could not watch them suffer while food was available in our storehouse, even if it meant stretching our resources thin.
I personally joined several visits to assess situations and pray with families who lost everything. While our resources have been limited, we have tried to respond with compassion and urgency. Every meal shared, every prayer offered, and every act of kindness has been a reminder that God's love is still alive in our midst.
The Way Forward – Rebuilding Hope
As we move beyond emergency relief, I am praying and planning for a stronger and more coordinated response to the ongoing needs in our community. With your partnership, here is how we hope to respond:
Home Repair and Shelter Support: Help rebuild homes for families who lost everything.
Agriculture Restoration: Support local farmers with seeds, fertilizer, and small tools to restart food production.
Food distribution: Prepare for three larger food distributions that could reach more people affected by the hurricane.
Water Access: Repair or install clean water systems for affected communities.
Medical Care: Help provide free medical consultations and medicine through our mobile clinic ministry.
Support for Students: Provide school supplies again to children whose families have lost everything so that they are able to return to School.
A Call for Partnership
The task ahead is enormous, but together we can make a difference. I am inviting our partners, friends, and churches—both local and abroad—to join us in rebuilding lives and communities. Whether through prayer, financial support, or your involvement will bring hope to many who have lost it.
Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us meet the most urgent needs. Together, we can restore dignity, rebuild homes, and help families rise again.
Looking Ahead with Faith
Hurricane Melissa may have destroyed buildings and crops, but it has not destroyed our faith. On the contrary, it has reminded me once again that God is faithful, even in the storm. As we continue to respond, I hold fast to His promise in Isaiah 58:12 — "You will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
With your prayers and partnership, I am confident that we can make a significant impact in the lives of those affected by the hurricane.
In His service,
Rev. Jeff Fortune