10/31/2025
The Board of World Mission (BWM) continues to receive reports from the Jamaica and Cayman Islands Province of the Moravian Church following the devastating impact of the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Damage, power outages, and loss of water and cell service are widespread, with the western side of the island—particularly St. Elizabeth Parish—suffering the most significant devastation.
People on the eastern side of the island are still working to contact those in the hardest-hit western communities. The hurricane made landfall near New Hope, very close to the Camp Hope facility, the province’s youth camping and retreat center. A formal report, with more detailed and comprehensive information about the impact on the Moravian Church, its members, and its facilities, from leadership in Jamaica, will be received once they complete an initial assessment. BWM has received direct reports that Springfield Moravian Church, built in 1847 and located approximately 15 miles northeast of Camp Hope, was completely destroyed and White Hill Moravian Church has sustained significant damage. Multiple Moravian school buildings in the Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth areas have also been impacted. Other reports and photos we have received indicate that additional churches and homes have sustained similar heavy damage.
We are maintaining contact with several partners and church leaders, though damage assessments are still underway. The need for recovery assistance is expected to be immense, and your support through the Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) Fund is urgently needed to help meet those needs as they are identified in the coming days and weeks.
We are also maintaining contact with partners and leaders in Cuba and Haiti, who were also impacted by this storm.
100% of the donations received for our Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) Fund go to providing relief for these disasters. You can assist us with our disaster response efforts by giving online at MoravianMission.org/Give. Please designate your gift to “MDR” to ensure that funds can be directed to the disaster relief efforts where there is the greatest need.
Please make checks payable to Board of World Mission and mail to:
U.S. Donors: Board of World Mission, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Canadian Donors: Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to [email protected]. Include your name and address in the comments section of the transfer to receive tax receipts.
