The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has confirmed it has officially activated in support of humanitarian response efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating Category 5 landfall in Jamaica on October 28.

The storm struck near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish, causing extensive damage across the island. At least 28 deaths have been confirmed. While humanitarian supplies are now moving into Jamaica via both air and sea, deliveries remain heavily constrained due to major damage to road, airport, and port infrastructure. All humanitarian shipments must be coordinated through the Jamaica Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) at https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/.

“As always, our role is to make sure that the right aid gets to the right place at the right time,” said Kathy Fulton, CEO of ALAN. “We are coordinating closely with trusted partners in the field, communicating daily with non-profits on the ground about their logistics needs, and sharing accurate, vetted information about what is needed — and how to ship it responsibly Fulton added.”

ALAN’s activation includes:

• Providing “first-mile” logistics coordination from the U.S. for confirmed needed supplies alongside trusted response partners

• Communicating with non-profit partners who are working on the ground in Jamaica to understand real-time logistics needs

• Sharing accurate information on what is required and the proper supply chain coordination process

• Monitoring the WFP LogCluster Caribbean Relief and Logistics Thematic Working Group to inform all activities

What companies and individuals can do now

• Work only through trusted organizations with an established presence in Jamaica

• Do not conduct supply drives — airport and port capacity are severely strained; cash is best

• If you are a corporation with large quantities of new products to donate, confirm need using ODPEM’s current list, and recognize that needs may change quickly

• Offer your donated logistics services — ALAN will match offers with responding organizations

• Support ALAN financially — all ALAN services are 100% free to non-profits, and contributions allow ALAN to scale its work