Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief Mission – Black River, St. Elizabeth

Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica • November 8th, 2025

Mission Summary

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, CASSM Foundation Global coordinated a large-scale humanitarian and medical relief mission to support residents of Black River and surrounding communities in St. Elizabeth.

Clinical services were delivered by MobiCare Medical Centre under a CASSM-funded initiative, with volunteer healthcare professionals working within MobiCare's clinical structure. Humanitarian assistance, logistics, and recovery support were coordinated by CASSM alongside government representatives, community organizations, faith-based groups, and private-sector partners. Residents received medical care, prescription medications, wound treatment, health screenings, and post-disaster support.

The operation represented one of the Foundation's largest coordinated field responses to date, mobilizing 111 volunteers, 35 medical doctors, five transportation buses, and hundreds of care packages to support families affected by Hurricane Melissa. The mission demonstrated the power of collaboration in helping communities recover and rebuild following a natural disaster.

Mission Impact

Metric	Total
Volunteers	111
Medical Doctors	35
Patients Registered	209
Patients Seen by Doctors (Base Clinic)	172
Patients Seen by Doctors (Field Teams)	34
Dressings Performed	10
Prescriptions Filled (Onsite & Mobile Pharmacy)	100
Care Packages Delivered	500
Transportation Buses Mobilized	5

What Happened

The mission established a central medical clinic in Black River and deployed mobile outreach teams to surrounding communities to reach residents who were unable to travel for care.

MobiCare Medical Centre led clinical delivery at the base clinic and through the field teams, addressing hurricane-related injuries, wound care needs, interrupted access to medications, chronic disease management concerns, and other health conditions resulting from the storm's impact. Volunteer practitioners worked within that clinical structure, and clinical decisions rested with attending practitioners throughout.

CASSM's role was to fund the initiative and coordinate logistics, transport, supplies, and communications so that care could reach affected areas. Field teams extended healthcare services directly into affected communities, ensuring vulnerable residents received timely medical attention.

A Starlink satellite communications system was deployed to provide internet connectivity and support communications among field teams, volunteers, healthcare providers, and partner organizations. This capability enhanced operational coordination and improved the effectiveness of relief activities throughout the mission.

In addition to medical services, volunteers provided humanitarian support, community engagement, and assistance to families navigating the challenges of post-disaster recovery.

Mission Partners and Supporters

The success of the Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief Mission was made possible through the collaboration of government representatives, healthcare professionals, volunteers, community organizations, faith-based partners, and private-sector supporters.

The Foundation acknowledges MobiCare Medical Centre, which delivered clinical services throughout the mission under a CASSM-funded initiative, at both the base clinic and through the mobile field teams.

The Foundation acknowledges Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, whose team contributed to the deployment, and Ms. Christina Gordon, who took part in the pre-deployment site visit on November 6 and was present on the day. The journey to Black River gave both organizations their first extended opportunity to discuss their respective origins and how they might work together to achieve meaningful outcomes, and Ms. Gordon took part in the introductions at Don's Motor World, which established the operational base. The working relationship formed then has continued to this day.

The Foundation acknowledges Dr. Leesa Schaaffe and Giving JA, the nonprofit she founded to provide free primary healthcare to elderly and underserved communities across Jamaica. Dr. Schaaffe, a Senior House Officer at the University Hospital of the West Indies, contributed to clinical delivery at Black River. Her wider work in youth health advocacy has been recognized with the 2024 Prime Minister's National Youth Award for Nation Building and a Governor-General's Achievement Award.

CASSM Foundation Global extends special appreciation to Hon. Floyd Green and Ms. Kenneisha Campbell for their support and assistance in facilitating community engagement efforts throughout the mission.

The Foundation also recognizes Donovan Smith of Don's Motor World for providing the operational base and logistical support that enabled mission activities to be effectively coordinated throughout the deployment.

Additional appreciation is extended to the mission's valued partners:

MobiCare Medical Centre _Instagram
Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) _Instagram
Giving JA _Instagram
Faith Chapel Apostolic_Youtube
Future Energy Source Company (FESCO)
AIO Endless Resources
Don's Motor World

The Foundation is grateful to the healthcare professionals, volunteers, donors, and community leaders whose collective efforts helped deliver healthcare, humanitarian support, and hope to families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Community Recovery and Resilience

Beyond providing immediate medical care, the mission highlighted the importance of coordinated community recovery efforts and the role that partnerships play in building resilience following a disaster.

By combining healthcare services, humanitarian assistance, communications technology, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, the mission helped address urgent needs while supporting longer-term recovery efforts across affected communities.

The Hurricane Melissa Disaster Relief Mission reflects CASSM Foundation Global's commitment to strengthening community resilience, expanding access to healthcare, and serving vulnerable populations throughout Jamaica.

Media Coverage

Major joint operation brings relief to St Elizabeth South Western — Jamaica Observer, 15 November 2025

Field Highlights

Acknowledgements

CASSM Foundation Global extends sincere appreciation to Hon. Floyd Green, Ms. Kenneisha Campbell, Mr. Donovan Smith, our partner organizations, healthcare professionals, volunteers, donors, and community leaders whose dedication and service contributed to the success of this mission. Special thanks to Wisynco Group Limited, which purchased and donated medication and medical supplies that supported several missions. A disaster of this scale called for all hands on deck. Government, private sector, faith-based organizations, healthcare professionals and ordinary residents all answered, and the mission succeeded because of it.

The Foundation is especially grateful to Mr. Alpha McDonald of Florida, who answered the call with the donation of two generators. One remained on site at Don's Motor World, providing electricity to community residents left homeless by the hurricane; the other, a portable solar unit, was used extensively throughout our field operations. Thanks also to Mr. K. Riley for most of the images in this section, and to Ms. Annalecia Barclay for permission to use her video.

Special thanks are extended to the residents of Black River and surrounding communities for their resilience, cooperation, and determination throughout the recovery process. The Foundation remains committed to supporting communities before, during, and after times of crisis.

Photo Gallery

Site Assessment _ November 11, 2025

Following Hurricane Melissa's impact on Black River and surrounding communities, members of the CASSM Foundation Global team conducted an on-site assessment to evaluate community needs, infrastructure damage, access challenges, and opportunities for humanitarian intervention.

The images below document conditions encountered during the field assessment.