A good overview from NOW Toronto. It should be pointed out that the Government of Canada announced additional assistance on November 12, 2025.
This announcement brings Canada’s total support since the hurricane to over $17 million in humanitarian and development assistance. Canada will continue to stand with the people of the Caribbean as they recover and rebuild for a sustainable and prosperous future.
See the details of the announcement at Canada announces additional assistance and launches matching fund in response to Hurricane Melissa
Janiece Campbell November 13, 2025
What to know
- Caribbean organizations praise Canada’s $7 million Hurricane Melissa relief pledge but say the islands need far more support.
- Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction across multiple Caribbean nations, with Jamaica’s western parishes among the hardest hit.
- Community leaders emphasize that Canada could assist not just financially but also with technical expertise to help rebuild resilient infrastructure.
- Toronto’s Caribbean community is grappling with loss and trauma while organizing donation drives and support efforts nationwide.
Caribbean organizations are applauding Canada’s $7 million Hurricane Melissa relief pledge, but say more support is needed as the islands work to rebuild.
In late October, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, announced federal funding in humanitarian relief for Caribbean countries devastated by the Category 5 hurricane.
Hurricane Melissa ripped through several islands including Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba last month, with most significant damage occurring in the western parishes of Jamaica like Saint James, Saint Elizabeth and Westmoreland.
Ottawa says the $7 million in aid will be split; $5 million will go toward life-saving help through emergency response agencies and health providers throughout the Caribbean, while the remaining $2 million will be given to the United Nations World Food Program to support its efforts to distribute food and other supplies to Jamaica.
Canadian collectives have been praising the government’s efforts to support the diaspora, including the Canada-Caribbean Institute, a collaboration between a number of major colleges and universities from Canada and the Caribbean.
Robert Ready, Executive Director of the Canada Caribbean Institute, tells Now Toronto that Canada has acted quickly in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, offering both immediate and long-term support.
“Canada responded swiftly after Hurricane Melissa, committing humanitarian aid, matching donations, and essential supplies like hygiene kits and blankets. Military teams are on standby, and additional funds are earmarked for long-term recovery, including health infrastructure and agriculture,” he said in an email statement on Thursday.
“The solidarity shown by Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Holness underscores the strength of our partnership.”
However, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association David Betty says that while he appreciates the Canadian government’s quick response to the urgency, he believes it has underestimated just how much is needed to truly help rebuild the nation, with early assessments suggesting that it’ll cost upwards of $10 billion JMD (close to $105 million CAD).
“It’s quite an extensive amount of money,” Betty said to Now Toronto. “As the information filters through and the different representatives make the presentation to the government, they will relent and recognize that we definitely – as in the Jamaican government, Jamaican people – need way more assistance than what would be recorded from the $7 million.”
While Ready emphasizes that needs assessments continue to be ongoing and assures their confidence in the Canadian government to step in if necessary, Betty says Canada’s role goes beyond financial aid.
“I think Canada can play a significant role in terms of providing some of what I would consider as being the technical help that Jamaica would need in order to revise how they’ll build a more hurricane-resilient Jamaica, in terms of our water network or electrical network or communication network,” he shared.
Although he acknowledges that a Category 5 hurricane has never made landfall in Canada, Betty notes the country’s resources and expertise in engineering would be a helpful asset to Jamaica.
“Canada could make quite a significant difference in terms of providing some of that support at that very high level.”
JAMAICA’S DEATH TOLL ON THE RISE, AND LOCALS STILL NEED THE HELP
As the death toll climbs to 45 in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Betty says Jamaicans in Toronto are still coming to terms with the scale of the loss. He adds that the grief goes beyond losing family, but about losing their sense of home.
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“Jamaicans are dealing with, of course, the damage, because a lot of them have suffered significant damage,” he explained.
“Their roofs are gone, but also their memories. People have been living in these homes in some places for 60, 80 years, and now these people are in their 80s and 90s. Rebuilding is probably not an option. So, you know, they’re traumatized in a number of ways as they try to grapple with this massive loss that has taken place in just hours.”
Ready echoed this sentiment, noting that “Toronto’s Caribbean community, as well as those across Canada, is deeply affected—there is anguish and fear for loved ones.”
Both organizations say they’re grateful for the outpouring of support from local communities and across the country, as Canadians band together for Jamaica through fundraisers and donation drives held coast to coast.
Ready described the response as “remarkable,” expressing appreciation for community groups, air carriers, and Jamaican authorities who have helped ensure the right supplies reach those most in need.
Betty added that the Jamaican Canadian Association continues to accept donations from Monday to Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. throughout November, as well as online. He also noted that companies like Atlas International have stepped up by shipping donated items free of charge.
“It has been very heartwarming to see the level of support that we’ve been getting here,” Betty said. “At the end of the day, together, we can recover.”
Source: NOW Toronto