50 care packages with water, toiletries, clothes, diapers for adults and babies will be distributed during the reading of Father Wojciech’s Sacred Heart on Saturday 8 November 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Jamaica has stepped up its efforts to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, in line with its longstanding mission to serve the island’s most vulnerable.
SVP, a global Catholic Christian non-profit organization founded in Paris, France, in 1833, operates in 153 countries. It has operated in Jamaica since 1904, from the Trinity Conference held in Holy Trinity Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Charles Gordon.
Today, the society has 33 active conferences across the island, each of which is associated with a Catholic church. Members provide both spiritual and material assistance, including prayer support, clothing, food, books, tuition, medicine, transportation and even burial for those in need.
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to “provide physical and emotional comfort to the suffering of our island,” noting that many were left without food, shelter and hope.
Patrice Mitchell, president of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Jamaica, said members immediately began working with parishes to assess needs and deliver aid.
“We have asked conference members to partner with the church to do assessments and provide food parcels,” he said.
Mitchell noted that distribution is already underway in some of the hardest-hit areas.
he delivered 152 packages to Montego Bay and supported relief efforts at St Joseph’s Church in Falmouth.
Also in Falmouth, 100 care packages were distributed between All Saints in Refuge and the African Martyrs of Uganda. Another 50 packages, containing food and medical supplies, were distributed through Sacred Heart of Montego Bay.
Clothing bags for children and adults were also distributed.
The organization also prepared additional special treatment boxes for the priests to share with the victims. These boxes contained toiletries, soap, shampoo and other hygiene items.
The organization also prepared additional special treatment boxes for the priests to share with the victims. These boxes contained toiletries, soap, shampoo and other hygiene items.
In addition, members of the St Paul de Cross Conference were dispatched to carry out assessments in Magoty and Black River, where significant damage has also been reported.
The society says it will continue to provide support to affected communities as the assessment and needs evolve.
– Carlysia Ramdeen