ONE year after Hurricane Melissa devastated communities across Jamaica the Seprod Foundation is continuing its effort to help in the recovery which remains a daily reality for many Jamaicans.

Since October 2025 the foundation has worked alongside residents, local and international partners to raise and facilitate more than $126 million in relief and recovery support in Crawford, St Elizabeth, and Seaford Town, Westmoreland, two communities it adopted in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Crawford, home to more than 200 families, was located within one kilometre of the hurricane’s centre while Seaford Town faced extensive damage also affecting over 200 households. Crawford Primary and Seaford Town Primary became adopted shelters, with Seaford Town also serving as a relief logistics hub for northern Westmoreland.

Between October and December 2025 the foundation distributed more than 1,200 care packages and approximately 500 tarpaulins, alongside pharmaceutical support for residents managing chronic conditions.

During the Christmas period it provided meals for more than 600 people and approximately 400 more care packages.

Lisa D’Oyen (right), executive director of the Seprod Foundation, and Shannon Vaz, co-founder of Shelter of Hope, alongside a truck of relief supplies supporting Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

“A year later, we cannot speak about Hurricane Melissa as though its impact belongs entirely to the past,” said Lisa D’Oyen, executive director of the Seprod Foundation.

“Families are still rebuilding, farmers are restoring their livelihoods, and communities are working towards normalcy. Our commitment to Crawford and Seaford Town did not end when the immediate emergency passed,” added D’Oyen.

Throughout 2026 the foundation’s efforts expanded to support housing, agriculture, education and essential services.

In Seaford Town, approximately 50,000 gallons of water were delivered between January and June, while more than 400 households received Bacardi-supported care packages.

Through Prosper Global (formerly Mercy Corps) and The Home Depot, 39 farmers received agricultural recovery kits, with a range of tools and supplies, to help restore their livelihoods.

With support from The House of Angostura, four families are rebuilding their homes, and 12 small business owners received vouchers to rebuild their shops.

From left: Alvin Whyte and Nania Simpson, home recipients; Lisa D’Oyen, executive director of the Seprod Foundation; and Venesha Henry, community member, at the handover of a house rebuilt through The House of Angostura and Seprod Foundation Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme in Seaford Town, Westmoreland.

The Seprod Foundation also provided approximately 6,800 breakfasts across both primary schools, supported 23 teachers, and invested in Crawford Primary with a water tank and Internet connectivity.

In partnership with Di Cawna Library, two Likkle Libraries were opened on Read Across Jamaica Day, housing 200 donated books and benefiting 300 students — the first of 15 planned across Jamaica.

D’Oyen noted that behind these efforts is a network of partners including the German embassy, The House of Angostura, Bacardi, Brunswick, Prosper Global, The Home Depot, UTech, Di Cawna Library, Woman’s Club Foundation of Jamaica, Church World Service, Three Angels Pharmacy, Global Empowerment Mission and NCB Foundation — whose support has helped turn urgent needs into meaningful progress.

According to D’Oyen, together with Seprod Group, these partners helped the foundation mobilise more than $126 million in support for the the first year.

More recently, Matthew 25: Ministries donated supplies valued at over US$200,000 for continued recovery efforts.

The foundation coordinated local logistics and distribution, helping get essential supplies to affected communities, hospitals and health centres while also stocking resilience hubs in Bull Bay and Seaford Town.

In Seaford Town the foundation is developing a Community Resilience Hub with solar power, water harvesting, a community garden, and connectivity and communication capabilities, supported by the German embassy, Prosper Global and UTech.

Designed to strengthen emergency preparedness, the facility will also provide temporary accommodation for Seaford Town Primary, which was destroyed by the hurricane.

“One year on, there are signs of hope in communities still finding their way forward. Homes are being rebuilt, farmers are returning to their fields, and children are reclaiming parts of the childhood routines the hurricane interrupted. Yet, behind every milestone are families whose recovery is far from complete.

“For the Seprod Foundation, the anniversary is not simply a reflection on what has been accomplished but a reaffirmation of its promise to the communities that welcomed its support when they needed it most,” declared D’Oyen.