Direct Relief medical aid arrived in Jamaica today aboard the Carnival Horizon, delivering 24 pallets—more than five tons—of critically needed supplies to support hospitals and clinics recovering from Hurricane Melissa.
Today’s delivery is part of a larger, coordinated response that departed Miami over the weekend of December 13 and 14, when Direct Relief mobilized 144 pallets—68 tons—of essential medicines and medical supplies bound for Jamaica by air and sea.
These shipments were made possible through the generous support of the Miami HEAT, Carnival Corporation, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, whose $1 million joint donation enabled the transport of emergency medical aid and continued health-system support.
The shipment’s arrival in Ocho Rios was welcomed by Government of Jamaica officials, Ministry of Health and tourism leaders, along with representatives from Carnival and Direct Relief.
“What is happening here is another demonstration of humanity,” said Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health. “Entities driven by the cause to help others have come together to support the recovery taking place across several of our most impacted parishes. On behalf of the Government of Jamaica and the people we serve, I want to say thank you to Carnival Cruise Line, Direct Relief, and the Miami HEAT. This has truly been a collaborative effort.”
Direct Relief’s Support of Jamaica
Since 2008, Direct Relief has provided more than $76 million in medical aid to support Jamaica’s healthcare system, working closely with government partners, hospitals, and clinics across the country. This long-standing support includes essential medicines and medical supplies for routine care, as well as emergency assistance during hurricanes and other disasters.
In recent years, Direct Relief’s work in Jamaica has increasingly focused on strengthening preparedness and health-system resilience, including investments in backup power, cold-chain protection, and emergency response capacity—helping ensure care can continue when storms and other disruptions impact normal operations.
