In collaboration with the Mickey & Madeleine Arison
Family Foundation, Miami HEAT and Carnival Corporation & plc have made a $1
million donation to Direct Relief to assist recovery
efforts following Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that made landfall in
Jamaica on October 28, 2025, and is still wreaking
havoc in the Caribbean.
Nonprofit humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief’s
mission is to improve the health and lives of those affected by poverty or emergencies
without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. The three organizations
have donated almost $17.2 million to support the crisis in Ukraine, Hurricanes
Helene, Milton, Ian, Dorian, Michael, Florence, Irma and Harvey, tornadoes in
Kentucky and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica,” said Eric
Woolworth, President of The HEAT Group’s Business Operations in a statement.
“In Florida, we are all too familiar with the widespread devastation caused by
a Category 5 storm. Direct Relief provides life-saving and ongoing assistance,
which is so critical as residents begin the long road to rebuilding their
communities.”
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc added,
“We’re sending thoughts of comfort and strength to our friends in Jamaica,
whose warmth and hospitality have created unforgettable experiences for so many
of our guests and crew. Our connection to Jamaica runs deep, and we need to
support its communities now more than ever. Donating to Direct Relief will help
fund vital assistance to individuals and families whose lives have been upended
by this devastating storm.”
At Jamaica’s request, Direct Relief has prepared 100 field
medic packs for deployment. Each pack contains first-aid and triage supplies
for front-line responders. Direct Relief has also shared its full medical
inventory list with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and stands ready to dispatch
additional medicines and supplies as needed.
Medical items prepared for delivery include antibiotics,
field medic backpacks, over-the-counter products, personal protective
equipment, and medications to manage chronic diseases and other critical items.
“Direct Relief is deeply grateful for the generosity of the
Miami HEAT, the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, and Carnival
Corporation,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief.
She added, “This support builds on the Arison family’s
longstanding commitment to Direct Relief’s mission and accelerates urgently
needed medical assistance for communities in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa makes
landfall. It will put medicines, supplies and clinical support into the hands
of local health workers right away—delivering immediate relief today and
strengthening the capacity of health systems to recover and withstand future
storms.”
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