The Devastating Impact of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, tore through St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. Ann. Homes, farms, businesses, and critical infrastructure were left in ruins.
For micro and small entrepreneurs (MSEs), the impact has been especially severe:
- Loss of business premises, equipment, and inventory
- Disrupted supply chains and crippled income generation
- Emotional trauma from missing or injured family members
- Increased risks for women entrepreneurs, who balance business recovery with caregiving responsibilities and heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence
This crisis threatens not only livelihoods but also the long-term survival of small businesses that are the backbone of community stability.
Our Strategic Response
The LASCO Chin Foundation (LCF), in partnership with the Institute of Law & Economics (ILE), has activated its trusted network of partners to support MSEs. Building on lessons from our Hurricane Beryl response in 2024, where 69 MSEs received vital assistance, we are implementing a three-phase recovery plan:
- Phase 1: Rapid Relief & Assessment – Delivering care packages and conducting needs assessments
- Phase 2: Restore & Rebuild Livelihoods – Restarting businesses and restoring community hubs
- Phase 3: Support Sustainable Growth – Building resilience for long-term recovery
Phase 1
Rapid Relief & Assessment – Providing Lifelines
Our immediate goal is to deliver emergency packages to assist families and communities.
Key actions include:
- Strategic Collaboration: Partnering with corporate foundations, NGOs, private-sector allies, and faith-based organizations
- Emergency Distributions:
- Basic food packages for displaced families
- Women & Children Relief Packages tailored to mothers and children
- Cookshop and cornershops
- On-the-Ground Assessments: Collecting data to identify the specific needs of MSEs
Phase 2
Restore & Rebuild Livelihoods – Restarting Community Hubs
Our next objective is to provide “RESTART” support for at least 20 MSEs, focusing on cook shops and corner shops. These businesses serve as community hubs, essential for self-reliance and recovery.
Our multipronged approach includes:
- Business Restoration: Equipment, supplies, repair materials, and flexible financial assistance
- Restocking supplies (“RESTART Packages”)
- Building repair materials
- Cook shop start-up kits
- Capacity Building: Training entrepreneurs to rebuild smarter and stronger, with special focus on women entrepreneurs
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Monthly engagement to ensure effective support and guide Phase 3
We are already collaborating with trusted partners in:
- Westmoreland: Water Works & Cave
- Hanover: Success & Gurney’s Mount
- St. Elizabeth: Middle Quarters & Whitehouse
Phase 3
Support Sustainable Growth – Building Resilience
Looking ahead, Phase 3 will focus on scaling support to MSEs across affected parishes over the next 6–12 months. This phase will strengthen community resilience against future shocks and ensure sustainable growth.
Call for Partnership
The scale of this disaster requires collective action. We invite financial and in-kind partners to join us in restoring livelihoods and empowering MSEs.
Get Involved
Your support can make the difference between survival and sustainable recovery for thousands of families and entrepreneurs.
Partner with us today to restore hope, rebuild livelihoods, and strengthen communities.