St John Ambulance and JN Bring Relief to Jamaicans

The damage wrought by Hurricane Melissa on the home of Vincent Wilson, a resident of Barton Wharf in Lacovia, St Elizabeth. In the background is a wardrobe in which the tall, lanky elderly man sought refuge as his house fell apart from the lashes of the violent category 5 hurricane winds.

As Jamaica begins the painful task of rebuilding after the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, help has come not from abroad, but from within. More than 250 volunteers, mobilized by St John Ambulance Jamaica and the JN Foundation, brought medical relief and hope to nearly 800 residents across the hard-hit parishes of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland last weekend.

Celia Smith (left), a resident of Lacovia, St Elizabeth, tells JN volunteers, Pilar Ellington (right) and Tamasha Smith, about her ordeal with Hurricane Melissa. The JN employees were part of a mission by St John Ambulance Jamaica on November 2 to survey the medical needs of residents in the area and recommend first aid care.

For many of us in the Caribbean diaspora watching from Canada, these images of solidarity and resilience are a reminder of the spirit that defines our region in times of crisis. The Jamaica Automobile Association, a member of the JN Group, transported the volunteers into isolated communities and provided free Wi-Fi access via Starlink connections, allowing residents to contact family members for the first time since the storm knocked out power and communications.

Volunteers, including trained first-aid responders and medical students, treated dozens of elderly citizens who had lost vital medication, along with men injured while trying to repair roofs and clear debris. With roads still blocked and hospitals stretched beyond capacity, their work filled a critical gap.

**A man has a wound on his foot treated by a member of the St John Ambulance Jamaica first aid team in Whitehouse, Westmoreland.**

Among those rescued was Vincent Wilson, 78, of Barton Wharf in Lacovia, St Elizabeth. When Hurricane Melissa tore through his wooden home, he was trapped under a fallen wardrobe. Neighbour Nicholas Morgan, his wife, and son cut through a fence to pull him free. “He barely could walk because him cramp, but we shoulder him until we get him [across],” Morgan said. The diabetic elder is now recovering with the family that saved him.

**A member of the St John Ambulance Jamaica medical team checks the vitals of an elderly resident of Whitehouse, Westmoreland on November 1.**

In Rice Piece, Ramorio Solomon suffered motorcycle injuries on damaged roads, while Romeo Wright hurt his chest rescuing his elderly mother-in-law after her roof blew away. Norris Campbell, whose finger was nearly severed by a door slammed by fierce winds, continued clearing fallen trees for his neighbours.

Duane Ellis, CEO of St John Ambulance, praised the “overwhelming” outpouring of volunteers, including JN Group staff, Kiwanis International, and university students-whose mission was to assess needs and guide further medical support in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Earl Jarrett, Chairman of St John Ambulance and CEO of the JN Group, lauded the volunteers’ compassion. “Be empathetic. What you are doing is beyond what is expected,” he urged, emphasizing that recovery must uphold survivors’ dignity.

From Toronto to Kingston, Jamaicans are proving that even in the face of destruction, the Caribbean spirit of care and community remains unshaken.

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St John Ambulance and JN Bring Relief to Jamaicans added by The Caribbean Camera Inc. on November 7, 2025
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