UNICEF Assisting Children and Families Affected by Hurricane

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica is actively assisting children and families affected by Hurricane Melissa, working closely with local partners and national authorities to ensure relief reaches those who need it most.

Speaking to JIS News, UNICEF Education Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, said their teams are helping to ensure access to safe water, hygiene supplies, child-friendly spaces, essential health and nutrition services targeting specific support to pregnant mothers and babies as well as quick, safe return to schooling.

“We are also supporting national assessments so that the emergency response reaches the children who need it most,” she added.

Child protection remains a top priority. “UNICEF is supporting the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to strengthen family-tracing and reunification systems,” Dr. Tortello said.

“This includes providing trained social workers, guidance on safe identification and registration, and helping to establish child-friendly spaces where unaccompanied and separated children can receive immediate care while reunification efforts are under way,” she added.

To help children resume education quickly, UNICEF is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to supply learning materials, provide temporary learning spaces, rehabilitate damaged classrooms, and erect tents and tarpaulins where needed.

“We are also supporting teachers with psychosocial first-aid guidance and tools so they can help students cope with the disruption and stress caused by the hurricane,” Dr. Tortello said.

UNICEF has prepositioned and delivered essential supplies, including hundreds of hygiene kits, water-purification tablets, learning kits, and recreational materials.

Distribution is being carried out with the Government of Jamaica, community-based organisations, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), to ensure supplies reach the most affected parishes quickly and equitably.

UNICEF is also partnering with community leaders, civil society groups, and national agencies to keep children safe in the aftermath of the disaster.

“This includes raising awareness about prevention of violence, abuse and exploitation; supporting community-based reporting mechanisms; and ensuring that front-line responders are trained to identify and refer children who may be at risk,” Dr. Tortello said.

Additionally, recognising the emotional impact of the hurricane, UNICEF is supporting psychosocial recovery.

The Education Specialist told JIS News that this includes setting up safe spaces for play and emotional recovery, training teachers and community workers in psychological first aid, providing play-based resources and ensuring access to referral mental health services for children who may need additional support.

UNICEF remains committed to supporting Jamaica’s long-term recovery, focusing on rebuilding resilient schools and childcare facilities, strengthening water and sanitation systems, bolstering social services, prioritising sound nutrition, and advancing mental health and wellness.

Dr. Tortello noted that the agency is also working with the Government to integrate disaster-risk reduction and climate resilience into education, health, and protection programmes to ensure that children not only recover but also benefit from stronger systems that support their future development.