A Personal Reflection from Westmoreland, Jamaica — and What the Diaspora Must Do Now
Six years ago to the day, I stood in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, to bury my father. The land, the people, the stillness — it’s etched into my soul. I remember the warmth of neighbours, the weight of legacy, and the comfort of familiar ground.
This weekend, I was working in London when a message lit up my phone. A voice note from a loved one still living there. Four words, raw and unforgettable:
“We’ve been wiped out… but we have life.”
That’s when I felt it — in my chest, in my gut. This wasn’t a story on the news. This was personal. Home was hurting.
The Eye of the Storm — and the Stories Behind the Stats
On 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa unleashed itself on Jamaica as a monstrous Category 5. Winds reached 185mph. It was the strongest storm the island has ever recorded.
The headlines give you numbers:
- Over 500,000 without power
- 300,000 displaced or trapped
- 100,000 without clean water
- 32 lives lost
- 8 hospitals damaged
- 60% of roads destroyed or inaccessible
But what numbers can’t show you… is the silence after the wind. The unanswered calls. The tears behind whispered voice notes.
Black Rock River in Westmoreland — though I haven’t stood there myself — now runs through every conversation I’ve had this week. The river, swollen beyond its banks, tore through homes and history alike. Elders stranded. Families isolated. Supplies dwindling.
People are still waiting. Still hungry. Still praying.
While speaking to a relative — born in Sheffield, now living in London — I was overheard by an elderly couple in a local bar. They approached me, eyes filled with emotion.
“We know that place,” they said quietly. “We lived there. We used to holiday in Black River. That place… it’s part of us.”
And in that moment, we weren’t strangers. We were connected — by memory, by loss, by a land we all loved.
Because when a place you love floods, you feel it in your bones.
This Is More Than a Hurricane. It’s a Human Crisis.
Behind every broken power line is a broken routine. Behind every flooded street is a family clinging to hope.
As a wellbeing and resilience consultant, I’ve seen what happens when the structures we depend on collapse. It’s not just about buildings — it’s about belonging.
- Trauma: Nights without power. Children crying. The fear that the worst isn’t over.
- Mental fatigue: Going days without knowing when — or if — help will arrive.
- Grief: For homes, for neighbours, for the life that existed just days before.
- Displacement: Not just from land, but from identity. From certainty.
Viktor Frankl once wrote, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” But for those living in shelters, scouring debris for supplies, or waiting on medicine — that challenge is now survival.
Windrush Legacy, Modern Injustice
My parents came to Britain in the Windrush era, bringing their labour, their culture, their trust. They believed the UK would honour its promises.
Now, in Jamaica’s hour of need, the UK’s official support sits at just £7.5 million. A fraction of what’s needed. A fraction of what’s deserved.
This isn’t charity. This is justice. This is the moment for the UK and the diaspora to remember — and repay — our roots.
Hope on the Ground: When the People Lead
In every crisis, there are helpers. And heroes.
- Shaggy chartered aid flights, delivered Starlink internet, and urged the world to act.
- Sean Paul rallied donations and awareness globally.
- Junior Lewis, of Rumkeg876 in Sheffield, partnered with Island Delight and ODPEM to get real supplies to real people.
- Dope Black Dads amplified the cause across their networks, showing what solidarity looks like.
- JN Bank UK opened donation hubs across London, Manchester, and Birmingham, turning offices into lifelines.
- The Association of Jamaican UK Trust (AOJUK) launched an official Hurricane Melissa appeal at aojuk.net.
These aren’t just relief efforts. They’re recovery blueprints.
Lessons from Puerto Rico — What We Must Do Differently
A powerful piece in The Conversation offers four crucial takeaways from Puerto Rico’s flawed hurricane recovery — lessons Jamaica must heed now:
- Empower local leaders: Let communities guide their own recovery.
- Prioritise mental health: Psychological trauma lasts longer than floods.
- Build resilience, not just rebuild: Stronger infrastructure. Smarter systems.
- Leverage diaspora power: We must be more than remittance senders — we must be changemakers.
Here’s How You Can Help — Today
If this story moved you, don’t stop at empathy. Take action:
✅ Donate: Support AOJUK, supportjamaica.gov.jm, or trusted partners like JN Bank UK.
✅ Drop off supplies: Visit isupportjamaica.com for local donation centres.
✅ Use your platform: Speak to your community. Share stories. Raise awareness.
✅ Call your MP: Ask what the UK is really doing to support Jamaica’s recovery.
✅ Support mental health: Check in with friends, family, colleagues with ties to Jamaica.
✅ Commit long-term: Relief is urgent — but resilience is the goal.
Final Thoughts — From Grief to Grace
Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”
Let this be the moment Jamaica feels seen. Held. Backed by its people and its diaspora.
We can’t control the wind. But we can be the hands that rebuild. The voices that advocate. The hearts that refuse to look away.
This storm may have taken homes — but it will not take hope.
And together, we’ll ensure that “we have life” becomes more than survival.
It becomes a revival.
Mike Lawrence: Your Guide to Health & Wellbeing
I’m Mike Lawrence, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing. After overcoming significant health challenges, including brain surgery, I’ve dedicated myself to a journey of self-improvement and helping others thrive. From heart-pounding skydives for charity to soul-enriching travels in Thailand, my experiences have shaped my approach to holistic health.
I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned from these adventures and the powerful audiobooks I devour. Let’s explore the paths to better mental and physical health together. Embrace life’s adventures with enthusiasm and resilience, and remember—you’re never alone on this journey!
Feel free to email me at hello@mikelawrence.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. For more in-depth insights and inspiring stories, read my latest blogs here. Together, let’s create a healthier, happier future!
