Samaritan’s Purse is set to deploy an Emergency Field Hospital to Black River, Jamaica, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. This storm, noted as the largest in Jamaica’s recorded history, has left critical infrastructure severely damaged, prompting urgent medical assistance requests from the country’s Ministry of Health.
Tomorrow, November 2, 2025, a Boeing 767 cargo plane will transport the hospital to the island. The facility will be established in Black River, the area where the hurricane made landfall and caused significant destruction, including the local hospital. The Emergency Field Hospital will be operational as soon as it arrives, thanks to the swift efforts of the organization’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).
The field hospital will feature more than 30 inpatient beds and will include essential medical services such as an operating room for surgeries, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an Emergency Room (ER), and an obstetric ward for maternal and neonatal care. Additionally, it will house a laboratory, pharmacy, and blood bank to support comprehensive patient care.
Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse, emphasized the organization’s commitment to helping those affected. “We are bringing in doctors, nurses, and the entire team it takes to get this hospital up and running—along with all the equipment and supplies we need,” he stated. Graham further noted the widespread devastation of hospitals, homes, and communities, expressing a desire to provide hope and assistance during this challenging time. He added, “We want these people to know that God loves them and we care about what they’re going through.”
In addition to the field hospital, Samaritan’s Purse has already airlifted 39 tons of emergency relief supplies to Jamaica, with plans for more flights in the coming days. To date, the organization has distributed over 1,300 shelter tarps, water filters, solar lights, and various essential supplies. Four community water filtration systems have also been deployed, each capable of providing safe drinking water for up to 10,000 people per day.
Mobile medical teams from Samaritan’s Purse are scheduled to initiate medical clinics tomorrow, extending care to those in need. Additionally, there are plans to establish helicopter medical evacuation routes for patients requiring advanced medical attention.
The immediate response to Hurricane Melissa highlights the critical role of humanitarian organizations in crisis situations. As Samaritan’s Purse continues its efforts in Jamaica, the organization aims to address both physical and spiritual needs in areas where assistance is urgently required. For more information about the ongoing relief efforts, visit Samaritan’s Purse’s official website.
