Holland America & guests join Hurricane Melissa relief efforts

Holland America Line and its guests are joining relief efforts for communities in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“Jamaica is an important longstanding partner to Holland America and our thoughts are with those impacted by the storm,” the cruise line wrote in a press release.

Carnival Corporation, the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, and Holland America are making donations to Direct Relief, a global humanitarian nonprofit that provides emergency medical assistance and disaster relief to those in need.

Direct Relief has already begun its plans to help people impacted in Jamaica.

In addition, Holland America’s On Deck for a Cause 5K walks, which raise funds for Direct Relief, will focus its next several walks on Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa fund.

Guests on any Holland America cruise can sign up for the walks which are held on the ships’ promenade decks.

And for others who want to help, you can contribute on Direct Relief's website.

Contributions will help Direct Relief fund essential resources and community support programs in partnership with trusted local organizations.

Jamaica faced its most destructive storm in its history as Melissa closed in on the island as a Category 5 on Tuesday (Oct. 28).

Both residents and tourists hunkered down. As reported, Jamaica hasn’t experienced a direct hurricane strike in more than a decade—and never from a Category 5 system.

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