KINGSTON, Jamaica — Seprod Foundation, in partnership with Mercy Corps and The Home Depot, has distributed agricultural recovery kits to farmers in Crawford, St Elizabeth and Seaford Town, Westmoreland as part of an initiative to provide critical assistance to those whose livelihoods were significantly impacted by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The initiative, which took place on April 15 and 16, 2026, saw the distribution of 40 recovery kits to help farmers restart operations and rebuild their productivity.

Each kit included a range of practical tools and supplies, from land clearing and cutting equipment to essential farming tools, crop management items, and protective gear. These resources will enable farmers to clear damaged land, resume cultivation and begin restoring their income streams.

“After the hurricane, a lot of us didn’t know how we would get back on our feet. These tools give me a chance to clear out and start planting again. It means I can start providing for my family again,” Steve Kameka, a beneficiary farmer, was quoted as saying in a press release on Friday.

“The support from The Home Depot has been instrumental in helping farmers take the first steps toward recovery,” said Executive Director of the Seprod Foundation, Lisa D’Oyen. “Through our partnership with Mercy Corps, we are able to ensure that these resources reach the communities that need them most, while continuing to build a foundation for long-term resilience.”

Mercy Corps, as a key international partner in this initiative, facilitated the procurement and coordination of the donated kits, working closely with the Seprod Foundation to execute on-the-ground distribution and community engagement.

“Our partnership with Seprod Foundation has been key to keeping our work across Jamaica grounded and connected to the real needs expressed by hurricane-impacted communities,” said Mercy Corps Caribbean Resilience Director Allison Dworschak. “We look forward to continued partnership as we ready ourselves for next season.”

This effort forms part of a broader, ongoing recovery programme aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience and food security in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. Crawford and Seaford Town remain priority areas for sustained support, as rebuilding efforts continue and farmers work to restore stable livelihoods.

The Seprod Foundation noted that the need across impacted farming communities remains significant and underscored the importance of continued collaboration with partners such as The Home Depot and Mercy Corps to expand support and deepen impact.