MSC Foundation and MSC Group Deliver Urgent Relief to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa

The MSC Group and the MSC Foundation have launched a major humanitarian effort to support Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, leaving widespread damage across multiple parishes.

In coordination with MSC Cruises, the cruise ship MSC Divina transported 3,360 gallons of bottled water and 264 tarpaulins to Ocho Rios on November 11. Jamaican relief agencies prioritized the supplies to address immediate needs for clean water and emergency shelter materials in the hardest-hit communities.

Beyond the initial shipment, the MSC Foundation has committed to a substantial logistics operation to support Jamaica’s ongoing recovery. The Foundation, backed by the MSC Group’s global resources, will provide free ocean transport for 12 containers of relief supplies from the United States. Additionally, MSC has donated 14 containers to assist local non-profits, including Food For The Poor and the RG Cares Foundation, with storage and the large-scale distribution of aid.

These contributions form part of the Foundation’s opening phase of support to the Jamaican Government’s coordinated national response. MSC officials say more assistance is already being mobilized to help strengthen operations on the ground and expand the reach of relief efforts.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman and Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee, emphasized the company’s long-standing ties with Jamaica.

“We are deeply committed to supporting the people of Jamaica as they respond to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa,” Vago said. “Through the coordinated delivery of essential resources with our local partners, we are working to bring relief to affected communities and provide critical supplies to those in need.”

Relief organizations in Jamaica have welcomed the assistance, noting that the supply chain support provided by MSC is vital for accelerating the distribution of life-sustaining goods to vulnerable families as the country begins the long recovery process.