Appeal for prayers from Jamaica and Cayman Islands

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Source: CRS, Cross Catholic Outreach

Hurricane Melissa intensified to a Category 5 hurricane a few hours ago with sustained winds of 160 mph, and tracked slowly toward Jamaica's southern coast making landfall on Tuesday morning.

Authorities in Jamaica have enacted emergency measures, including mandatory evacuations, the closure of schools, airports, and ports, and the opening of more than a thousand emergency shelters.

Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba were also bracing for severe rains and flooding. Experts says the worst is yet to come.

Catholic Relief Services, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' official humanitarian and development outreach, has established a relief fund for victims in Haiti and Jamaica.

Cross Catholic Outreach, based in Florida, also announced a relief campaign yesterday, noting it was working with "trusted Catholic partners on the ground," including the Diocese of Mandeville "as well as multiple partners in the Dominican Republic," to "deliver critical aid, including food, medicine and housing supplies."

Michele Sagarino, president of Cross Catholic Outreach said in a press release: "Our hearts and prayers are with all those impacted by Hurricane Melissa. In times of disaster, the Church has a unique role to play - to be the hands and feet of Christ for those who are hurting."