{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAs UK Scouts, we\u2019re deeply concerned to see the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic this week. Our thoughts are with all those, especially young people, affected both in the region and in the UK.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe send a message of solidarity and support to all those affected, including Scouts and their families - both in the countries themselves, and for those based in the UK with close ties to the region.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe are especially mindful of young people affected in the area, and have reached out to The Scout Association of Jamaica with a message of support.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Category 5 hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on 28 October, bringing winds of over 180 mph. It caused widespread damage, and substantial loss of life. Floodwater and mudslides have damaged and destroyed communities, homes, businesses and have left many areas without power, amenities. Many roads are blocked, and communications are also badly affected.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/dhbpfjaz/dwayne-3.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EA message of support from the Chief Scout\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUk Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, who was born in Jamaica, has shared a personal message with those impacted:\u0026nbsp;\u2018My heart goes out to everyone on the ground. I\u2019ve spoken with friends and family who have had everything blown away and washed away. I\u2019ve spoken to people with businesses that have been completely devastated. As Chief Scout I want to encourage everyone in the Scout movement, and outside of it, to support those in their time of need. Let\u2019s keep Jamaica in our thoughts and in our hearts and in our minds. If you can help, please consider offering it. We are small. We are tough. But this is our time of need. Hurricane Melissa is hitting hard, even in places it hasn\u2019t passed through.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/tm3lg1b0/hurricane-image.png","width":706,"height":862,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EResources to support young people and volunteers\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe are conscious that young people in Scouts with family links to Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the wider region will be upset by events. Volunteers may find it useful to use the following resources to help approach the subject with different age groups. We hope they will help them come to terms with their thoughts and feelings to support their wellbeing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-crises/\u0022\u003ETalking to young people about international crises\u003C/a\u003E \u2013 resources to help you address this topic with your groups\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/mindfulness-time/\u0022\u003EMindfulness time\u003C/a\u003E \u2013 with the help of some everyday objects\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/how-are-you-times-two/\u0022\u003EHow are you time? Times two\u003C/a\u003E \u2013 focused on helping family and friends to feel okay, especially at stressful times.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB2yqtXkItk\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?v=AB2yqtXkItk\u0022\u003EAdvice if you\u0027re upset by the news\u003C/a\u003E \u2013 a BBC Newsround piece that you could watch in a meeting together with young people (Beaver/Cub/Scout appropriate)\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe following activities also encourage understanding and empathy with those affected by disasters, but please be sensitive to those who may still be upset by events.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/when-disaster-strikes/\u0022\u003EWhen disaster strikes | Activities | Scouts\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/disaster-stations/\u0022\u003EDisaster stations | Activities | Scouts\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/agvbtxyx/cub-making-heart.jpg","width":800,"height":450,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EMake a donation\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESeveral charities have set up appeals for those wishing to support those directly affected with healthcare, clear water and shelter.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Donate to the Government of Jamaica Emergency Appeal ","buttonLink":{"name":null,"id":null,"url":"https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"003982","label":"003982"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Donate to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies appeal in support of Jamaica","buttonLink":{"name":null,"id":null,"url":"https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/hurricane-melissa-emergency","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"003982","label":"003982"},"alignment":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThe UK Government will match public donations to the IFRC appeal with up to \u00A31 million.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"31 October 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Donate to the Government of Jamaica Emergency Appeal ","url":"https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Donate to the IFRC Societies appeal in support of Jamaica","url":"https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdonate.redcross.org.uk%2Fappeal%2Fhurricane-melissa-emergency\u0026data=05%7C02%7CNushy.Rose%40fcdo.gov.uk%7C01e51cb194484b35bbd508de1888f0f3%7Cd3a2d0d37cc84f52bbf985bd43d94279%7C0%7C0%7C638975173595193731%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026sdata=AO6yEXqurl%2F1aCPOXQ1g2sR8UA97fabs8tvbrCgannc%3D\u0026reserved=0","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":87780,"nodeName":"Responding to Hurricane Melissa","title":"Responding to Hurricane Melissa ","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/tm3lg1b0/hurricane-image.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dc4a815d107af0","caption":"Hurricane Image","type":"png","size":803879,"width":706,"height":862,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Responding to Hurricane Melissa ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"At Scouts, our thoughts are with all those, especially young people, affected both in the region and in the UK","browserTitle":"Responding to Hurricane Melissa","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84Nzc4MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/october/responding-to-hurricane-melissa/"}