MSC Foundation and MSC Group support relief efforts in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa

Focus Area: Emergency Relief

The MSC Group and the MSC Foundation have organised urgent relief efforts in support of the Government of Jamaica’s humanitarian response for those affected by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28.

With operational backing from MSC Cruises, the cruise ship MSC Divina transported 3,360 gallons of bottled water and 264 tarpaulins to Jamaica, arrived in Ocho Rios on 11 November. These items will help meet immediate needs for safe water and shelter materials identified by relief agencies.

The MSC Foundation, with support from MSC, has also committed to providing ocean transport for 12 containers of relief supplies from the United States and donated 14 containers to support local non-profits involved in aid efforts— Food For The Poor and the RG Cares Foundation—with aid distribution and storage. In addition, further efforts are being mobilised in support of the national response.

These represent the Foundation’s initial contributions to the Government-coordinated response, aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of partners on the ground.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman and Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee, commented: “We are deeply committed to supporting the people of Jamaica as they respond to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. 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.”