Following a recent visit to parishes destroyed by Hurricane Melissa, multi-Grammy-Award-winning entertainer Sean Paul says the devastation was unfathomable.

Recalling places that once held precious memories, the singer said Hurricane Melissa left so much destruction in her wake, his walk-through felt like “a scene from a horror movie”.

“The devastation is real; the people are hurting and in need of urgent help. Jamaica is my home and, honestly, I could hardly recognise any of the places that hold so many memories for me as we travelled through Manchester, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland,” he said. “Even some of our landmarks were destroyed. It felt like a scene from a horror movie. It is going to take a lot of help, an immense amount of money and time to rebuild.”

Still, even as he lamented the living conditions many Jamaicans now face, the entertainer, through his Sean Paul Foundation (SPF) and a partnership with Food For the Poor (FFTP) Jamaica, delivered relief through care packages.

His team recently visited communities and schools in Westmoreland to distribute food, bottled water, hygiene packages, and other essential items to affected families.

In addition, Sean Paul and his team conducted damage assessments to identify ways to support long-term recovery and rebuilding of homes, schools, and livelihoods.

As the entertainer spoke to residents some recalled the terror of Hurricane Melissa.

Cleveland Brown of Congress Hall, Westmoreland, told Sean Paul that he tried to secure his home as best he could, but Melissa’s fury was simply too much for it.

“It was a very difficult experience being in the middle of the hurricane. When I heard it coming I tried to secure my home, but I could only do so much. All I remember is the zinc starting to tear off while getting some food and, when I looked around, everything was lifting up, even the plate outta my hand,” he said. “My friend came with his daughter seeking refuge, but before we could settle, the whole house started to move. I grabbed the door and, with my brother, ran toward the top of the hill. I couldn’t keep track of my friend with his child. Honestly, if it wasn’t for God, we wouldn’t be alive.”

FFTP Field Officer Stewart Lynch said Brown’s story is one of many as he outlined his team’s commitment to offering support.

“We are present on the ground and ready to assist him and others like him, and we are committed to getting these communities the help that they need. It takes a certain level of mental strength to handle this kind of devastation, but their resilience pushes us,” he said. “Our team is full of passionate people who just want to see how best they can help with rebuilding the affected communities.”