Jamaican music superstar Sean Paul has expressed that the scale of the effort required to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa is 'overwhelming.' The category five hurricane wreaked havoc on the island last week, and Paul described the frightening experience his children endured during the storm.
That's the first time they've seen trees dance like that and the wind move like that, he told BBC News. They're in shock still, and traumatized. And can you imagine the children who are in the epicentre of it? It feels like you're in the Middle Ages. The hurricane's winds, which reached up to 185 mph (295 km/h), resulted in at least 28 fatalities. Paul and his family weathered the storm in the capital, Kingston, while other western parts of the island suffered significant damage.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Paul shared, It is really difficult to bear. We weren't hit in Kingston very hard, but it was frightening. And you're wondering, at any minute now is there going to be, you know, some tree that comes along and slaps your roof off? Many of Paul’s friends in Montego Bay lost their entire roofs and are actively helping victims with food and clothing. He described thoughts of positivity as challenging under the current circumstances.
To aid recovery efforts, Sean Paul has pledged $50,000 to match donations to Food For The Poor Jamaica, calling the devastation 'a very mind-blowing situation.' He conveyed the emotional burden he has experienced during this crisis, stating, It's just the amount of energy it takes, and the depression that starts to set in, and then you have to shake yourself out of it because there's just so much to be done that we haven't even tipped the iceberg yet.
He visited the countryside in St Mary, which, though not hit as hard, still faces challenges like power outages and blocked roads, making communication with loved ones difficult for many survivors. The singer also highlighted heartbreaking stories, including reports of infants being housed in cardboard boxes due to the lack of shelter.
Fellow Jamaican artist Shaggy has been working to mobilize aid by organizing convoys to deliver essentials directly to affected communities. He described being deeply affected by the destruction he witnessed, saying, It breaks my heart. I couldn't help but weep. These are my people. Shaggy and Paul are also coordinating efforts for a benefit concert aimed at long-term recovery support.
