Months after Hurricane Melissa devastated communities across Jamaica, an organization called Plakortis- Caribbean Climate Network Jamaica, continues to stand with families working to rebuild their lives. While the climate crisis remains very real and Jamaicans are still struggling with its impacts, global attention and social media conversations have largely moved on. Yet for affected communities, the disaster did not end when the headlines faded.

Climate-driven disasters are happening more frequently, affecting millions of people every year, for which is why recovery cannot be treated as an afterthought. Tracey Edwards, leader of Plakortis says “It is not sustainable to focus only on the moment a disaster strikes and then abandon the conversation. As climate change reshapes our world and deepens inequality, year-round attention to recovery, rebuilding, and resilience must become a global priority.”

 

In the months following Hurricane Melissa, Plakortis has remained actively engaged in community recovery efforts. The organization has provided JMD 20,000 in emergency financial assistance to members of the Jamaican Environmental Entrepreneurial Advocacy Network (JEEAN) affected by the hurricane, supporting short-term livelihood stabilization. Plakortis has also contributed JMD 150,000 worth of construction materials like cement, steel, gravel, and sand to help rebuild the home of a mother and her children who lost their house, an effort that is still ongoing. In addition, Plakortis has donated laptops to hurricane affected students to support educational continuity, as well as distributed emergency food packages to 15 vulnerable households, benefiting approximately 60 people.

Plakortis continues to call for support and donations to help communities recover in sustainable ways and to strengthen families against future disasters. As the continued use of fossil fuels worsens the climate crisis, hurricanes like Melissa will not be isolated events. Long-term recovery, resilience, and solidarity must remain at the center of climate action even long after the storm has passed.

Plakortis- Caribbean Climate Network Jamaica is part of the 350.org global network, an organization fighting accross the world to transition from fossil fuels and create a future powered by people, communities and clean energy.

You can support with donations at www.paypal.me/plakortis