Emergency Field Hospital Opened in Jamaica by Samaritan's Purse After Hurricane Melissa

Samaritan's Purse Launches Emergency Field Hospital in Jamaica

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization, has officially opened an emergency field hospital in Black River, Jamaica. This project, initiated on November 6, 2025, comes after local medical facilities were rendered inoperable due to the storm's destructive force.

The newly established field hospital is outfitted with over 30 beds and features vital medical facilities including an operating room, intensive care unit, emergency room, obstetric unit for maternal and neonatal care, laboratory, pharmacy, and blood bank. This mobile hospital unit was transported to Jamaica via a Samaritan's Purse cargo plane at the request of the Jamaican Ministry of Health, demonstrating the organization’s agile response to natural disasters.

Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse, expressed the urgency of the situation: “This powerful storm has damaged or destroyed all structures in Black River, including the hospital. Our team has been working day and night to transport an emergency field hospital, set it up, and treat patients in desperate need.” With many residents having lost everything, the demand for medical care is critically high.

The field hospital is designed to be self-sufficient and fully operational in disaster-stricken areas. It is staffed by a team of dedicated medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and disaster response team members from Samaritan's Purse, who have already begun treating patients requiring surgical, emergency, and maternal care.

In addition to the hospital, Samaritan's Purse has mobilized additional medical teams to conduct clinics in the surrounding communities, addressing health issues exacerbated by the hurricane. In the past week alone, the organization has flown in nearly 100 tons of emergency relief supplies to Jamaica, providing essential resources such as thousands of shelter tarps, water filters, solar lights, and hygiene kits. Four community water filtration systems, each capable of supplying clean drinking water to up to 10,000 individuals daily, have also been dispatched and are being installed in the most affected regions.

“These individuals will need our support for an extended period,” added Graham. “We continue delivering safe drinking water, shelter materials, and other essential aid to help families recover.” He emphasized the need for long-term assistance as the island's recovery progresses.

As media attention wanes, Graham appeals for ongoing support and prayers for the people of Jamaica and the teams working on the ground. “We want to ensure they are not forgotten as we also share the hope of the Gospel.”

For organizations interested in covering this urgent relief operation, there are opportunities to interview Edward Graham, the operations director, and medical personnel providing care in Black River. High-quality images and video footage are available upon request.

Samaritan's Purse, headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, dedicates itself to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crises, particularly where help is most scarce. The organization operates in more than 100 countries, offering assistance to the afflicted by war, disease, disasters, poverty, hunger, and persecution. For further information, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.