KINGSTON, Jamaica— One month after Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica, Food For The Poor (FFTP) Jamaica is mobilising up to US$5 million for home repairs and housing reconstruction across the island.

Andrew Mahfood, chairman of FFTP’s board of directors, said the organisation’s focus is shifting from immediate relief to long-term stability for families who lost their homes or suffered severe structural damage.

With strong early support and additional commitments being finalised, Mahfood said he is confident the housing initiative can move forward without delay.

“What matters now is moving quickly,” Mahfood said. “This US$5 million commitment allows us to begin ordering materials, staging supplies and getting repair teams into communities without delay. Families need and deserve to move back into permanent homes that are safe and strong.”

Since Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, FFTP has executed one of its fastest and largest national responses. Working closely with the Government of Jamaica, churches, key stakeholders, local and international partners, the charity has delivered more than 116 emergency shipments, including air and sea cargo.

FFTP has also moved over four million pounds of food, water, hygiene supplies, medical goods, tarps, generators, emergency shelter materials, bedding and cleaning supplies reaching more than 24,000 families with life-sustaining goods.

They have also deployed 1,600 volunteers to support packing, distribution, and warehousing and increased its local warehouse output to 3,500 food kits per day.

Hundreds of roof-repair kits are already funded and deployment is imminent in heavily affected communities in western parishes. Additional kits will roll out as field teams complete detailed assessments.

“These repairs are the first step in restoring stability,” Mahfood noted. “For many families, putting a roof back on their home is the difference between safety and exposure from the elements.”

For homes that were completely destroyed, FFTP will build an enhanced version of its long-standing wood-frame house which it has named the FFTP Hybrid. The updated model includes concrete strengthening for higher wind resilience, reinforced roof structures and improved structural durability.

To accelerate rebuilding, the charity is pursuing additional financing tools that will allow construction to begin immediately. Local purchasing of materials will stimulate the Jamaican economy and speed deployment.

“We are prepared to push ahead to ensure families are not left waiting,” Mahfood said. “In this moment of great need within the housing sector, Food For The Poor is positioning itself to lead with urgency, accountability and impact.”

FFTP said it will continue rolling out a multi-phase recovery plan that includes large-scale roof and structural repairs, new home construction using strengthened designs, support for fishing, agriculture, and small businesses, restoring community assets such as schools, clinics, and community centres, expanding safe water systems and sanitation and strengthening church-based disaster response networks.

“Recovery will take time, but Jamaicans have always met hardship together,” Mahfood said. “Each shipment, each volunteer, each partner adds a piece of hope back into our communities.”