In the wake of the catastrophic devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn joined Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and the delegation of New York State elected officials on a humanitarian mission to Jamaica, sending a clear message that Jamaica has not been forgotten and that its recovery matters deeply to the Caribbean diaspora here at home.
Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful storms ever to strike the island, leaving widespread destruction across communities and severely impacting access to food, shelter, and basic services.
During the multi-day mission, the delegation provided disaster relief supplies, groceries, toys, and hands-on rebuilding support at critical community sites, including Bethel Town, Culloden Refuge Temple, Paul Island Primary School, the United Presbyterian Church of Savanna La Mar, and the local YMCA, where cleanup and repair efforts helped prepare the space for community family programming…