The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) is strengthening support for youth peer educators and vulnerable adolescents following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica in late October 2025. The Category 5 hurricane, which was the most powerful storm in the country’s recorded history, caused widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and prolonged disruptions to essential services across several parishes.
Communities in Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland were among the hardest hit, facing destroyed homes, damaged schools, and limited access to electricity and clean water. The crisis has had far-reaching consequences for young people, particularly those aged 16–20, whose education, livelihoods, and access to critical health services were severely disrupted. For many young people in these areas, access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services became significantly more difficult following the storm. Contaminated water sources, damaged sanitation systems, and the temporary closure of adolescent-friendly health services have compounded existing vulnerabilities. At the same time, economic strain from lost livelihoods has increased pressure on families and young people trying to rebuild their lives.
To address these urgent challenges, CVC is implementing targeted crisis response activities through the Strengthening Access, Inclusion and Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SAIL-SRHR) Project, a five-year initiative aimed at improving access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and education for adolescents and vulnerable populations in Jamaica’s southern and south-eastern health regions. The initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is delivered by Alinea International in partnership with the Jamaica Family Planning Association (JFPA) and CVC, and focuses on providing inclusive health services, peer-led education, and strengthened advocacy around sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Supporting Peer Educators on the Frontlines of Community Outreach
As part of the hurricane response, CVC is prioritizing the well-being and resilience of peer educators, who play a vital role in sharing SRHR information and supporting young people within their communities. These peer educators often face the same challenges as the communities they serve, including housing instability, financial hardship, and emotional stress following the disaster. Through the crisis response plan, CVC is distributing essential hygiene and SRHR supplies, including sanitary products, soap and personal care items to youth participants and peer educators. In addition, food and household support packages are being provided to help alleviate economic pressures and help young persons cope during this challenging period.
“Peer educators are the backbone of community-based SRHR education,” said Andrea Campbell, CVC’s Technical Programme Officer overseeing the implementation of the SAIL-SRHR project. “When crises like Hurricane Melissa disrupt their lives, it is essential that we support them not only as programme implementers, but as young people navigating the same hardships as their communities.”
Addressing Youth Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing
The intervention also addresses electricity and connectivity challenges that emerged following the hurricane. Selected peer educators have received power banks to ensure they can remain connected, communicate with programme supervisors, and access digital resources needed to continue their outreach activities.
Equally important is the focus on mental health and psychosocial well-being. Many young people affected by the hurricane are experiencing stress, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future. To address this, CVC will facilitate group counselling sessions led by professional psychologists, providing safe spaces for participants to discuss their experiences and receive emotional support.
According to Campbell, strengthening the resilience of peer educators ultimately strengthens the communities they serve. “Our goal is to ensure that young people remain empowered to support one another, even in times of crisis,” she explained. “By providing psychosocial support, essential supplies, and connectivity tools, we are helping peer educators continue delivering life-saving information and building stronger, healthier communities.”
Building Resilience and Recovery Through Youth Leadership
The intervention will reach at least 40 youth aged 15–20 with SRHR hygiene and food support packages, while 60 young people will benefit from psychosocial counselling services. Additionally, up to 20 youth peer educators will receive power banks to support communication and online engagement, ensuring continuity of peer-led education and outreach.
Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, many young people have stepped forward as community responders, supporting relief efforts, assisting with cleanup activities, and offering peer support to those affected. Their resilience underscores the importance of investing in youth leadership and community-driven responses during times of crisis.
Through these targeted interventions, CVC and its partners aim not only to address immediate needs, but also to ensure that progress toward improved sexual and reproductive health and rights for Jamaican youth continues, even in the face of disaster.
