KINGSTON, Jamaica — An initiative mobilising young volunteers to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa has been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a model intervention for education in crisis situations, earning international recognition for Jamaica’s youth-led recovery efforts.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as a category five hurricane causing widespread destruction to much of the west region of the island.

The initiative, led by lawyer and youth advocate Christina Williams, was developed in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa and focuses on coordinating young volunteers to provide both immediate relief and longer-term recovery support.

It was highlighted during International Day of Education, which this year focused on education in emergency and crisis situations. UNESCO selected interventions from countries including Syria, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Jamaica.

“We rallied over a thousand young people, acting as volunteers with different partner organisations, and we provided immediate relief after the hurricane and then now beyond that immediate relief we’re now doing homework assistance and psychosocial support through peer-to-peer counselling,” Williams explained/

She said the work has since expanded to include “emergency psychology first aid or the college psychology first aid”, as well as rebuilding schools and providing ongoing assistance to affected families and young people.

Williams said the decision to launch the initiative was driven by a need to avoid duplicating efforts while addressing a clear gap in volunteer coordination.

She noted that while many groups were collecting donations, there was limited coordination of volunteers on the ground. Drawing on her previous experience in crisis response, she stepped in to organise young people and place them with partner organisations providing relief and recovery services.

“It was to fill a gap of needing to have more volunteers, needing to engage volunteers and needing to also get young people involved,” Williams said, adding that young people are often viewed only as victims after disasters. “Within that same population of people affected, there’s also a lot of strength and value that can be harnessed.”

Since its launch, the initiative has carried out more than 15 missions, with volunteer teams deployed every month since early November following the hurricane. Williams said the focus has shifted from short-term relief to sustained engagement.

“What we have done is that we have moved from a moment of support to creating a movement of support,” she said.

She acknowledged that while some normalcy has returned to affected areas, support is still needed.

“We may have moved from relief to recovery now, mind you, and we need different skill sets,” she said. “We’re still open to volunteers reaching out to us to lend their support if they have you know whether it’s skills or it’s time effort whatever it is.”

While the group does not directly accept donations, it connects donors with organisations collecting supplies and funds.

Williams also commended several early partner organisations for supporting the initiative such as JN Foundation, Jamaica Automobile Association and St John’s Ambulance Children’s First.

She stressed that youth remain an underutilised resource.

“Young people is an untapped resource in Jamaica,” she said. “I’d love to see many more organisations really use up the value of young people in a way that is meaningful.”

Addressing those who may feel their initial enthusiasm to help has lessened, Williams urged continued involvement.

“Help is still needed,” she said, adding that support can also be provided remotely through information sharing or donations. “I don’t want the west to be forgotten.”

— Carlysia Ramdeen