Hurricane Melissa’s Devastation: How Crypto Can Help Rebuild Jamaica & Cuba

People walk through a flooded street in Batabano, Cuba, after Hurricane Ian struck. Photograph: Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean — leaving millions in Jamaica and Cuba in urgent need of help.

When Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 hurricane, it became the strongest storm to strike the island in 174 years. Winds reached 185 mph (295 kph) — matching the most powerful Atlantic landfalls ever recorded. Within hours, homes were leveled, hospitals damaged, and over half a million residents lost power.

Now, Melissa is cutting across Cuba as a Category 2 storm, bringing torrential rain and flash floods that have forced the evacuation of more than 735,000 people. In southern Haiti, floodwaters have already claimed 25 lives, while forecasters warn of catastrophic damage in Santiago de Cuba and neighboring regions.

Meteorologists note the storm’s rapid intensification was fueled by ocean temperatures up to 3 °C above normal — a stark reminder of how climate change is supercharging extreme weather.

This isn’t just another storm. It’s a humanitarian emergency.

Lives and livelihoods in peril

In Jamaica, four hospitals have been damaged, roads remain impassable, and emergency shelters are overflowing. Entire neighborhoods from Montego Bay to Savanna-la-Mar are without electricity or clean water.

Across eastern Cuba, roofs have been torn from homes, crops destroyed, and entire communities isolated by flooding. With more rainfall expected and communications down, the full scale of the disaster is still unknown.

These are nations with fragile infrastructure and limited access to traditional financial systems — meaning that fast, flexible funding is essential for survival and recovery.

Crypto can move where bureaucracy cannot

Traditional aid channels can take days or even weeks to move funds through red tape and cross-border transfers. Crypto donations can move in minutes.

Fast: Instant cross-border transactions, even when banks are offline.
Borderless: No currency exchange or intermediary fees.
Transparent: Every donation visible and verifiable on-chain.
Tax-efficient: In the U.S., donating appreciated crypto can eliminate capital-gains tax and qualify for a charitable deduction.

Through Givepact, you can donate crypto directly to verified humanitarian organizations responding to Hurricane Melissa — delivering food, water, shelter, and medical aid to the hardest-hit communities.

Donate Crypto Directly to Trusted Relief Organizations

Below are vetted nonprofits mobilizing in Jamaica and Cuba.
Givepact provides secure crypto donation links for each.

American Friends of Jamaica Disaster Relief Fund

Provides “critical support when natural or humanitarian disasters impact communities across Jamaica,” according to its website.
→ Donate Crypto

World Food Programme (WFP)

Supporting Jamaica’s government as it responds to “one of the worst disasters in its history.”
→ Donate Crypto

Project HOPE

Deploying emergency medical teams to Jamaica to address urgent health, sanitation, and mental-health needs.
→ Donate Crypto

Mercy Chefs

Serving hot, chef-prepared meals and clean drinking water in both Jamaica and Cuba.
→ Donate Crypto

World Central Kitchen

Founded by Chef José Andrés — providing food and water for first responders and families.
→ Donate Crypto

CARE

Offering direct cash assistance to help families meet essential needs and begin rebuilding.
→ Donate Crypto

Airlink

Working with airlines to fly aid and responders into Jamaica; accepts crypto, cash, and airline miles.
→ Donate Crypto

Red Cross & IFRC

Coordinating medical, shelter, and disaster-response aid across Jamaica, Cuba, and neighboring islands.
→ Donate Crypto

Footprint Project

Deploying 150+ portable solar and battery power units to restore energy and communications.
→ Donate Crypto

International Medical Corps

Providing emergency medical and hygiene supplies; on standby across the Caribbean.
→ Donate Crypto

Givepact supports BTC, ETH, USDC, and other top tokens. All donations are tax-deductible in the U.S., and 95% of proceeds go directly to verified relief partners.

Give now. Rebuild faster.

Hurricane Melissa has left deep scars across Jamaica and Cuba — but with your help, recovery can start today.

Donate crypto through Givepact to support the organizations bringing lifesaving aid to those most affected. Together, we can show the power of the Web3 community to deliver hope when the world needs it most.