The Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) is currently represented at the Action on Disaster Relief (ADR2026) forum being held in Panama City from March 11 – 12, 2026.
Deputy Operations Manager at the JRC, Horace Glaze, who is slated to deliver a presentation on behalf of the organisation on Thursday, March 12, has shared his excitement and eagerness to participate and capitalise on “networking and learning opportunities”.
“As a premier Disaster Relief event in the Americas in its 11th year, this conference is an opportunity for the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) to share with key regional/international humanitarian actors our work; specifically our response to Hurricane Melissa in October 2025,” says Horace Glaze, deputy operations manager at the JRC.
“Our attendance may also ignite potential partnerships for Melissa Recovery and other humanitarian support,” he continues.
Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm ravished primarily in sections of Western Jamaica and other areas in October 2025. Since then, the JRC has been on the ground in the areas of non-food item distributions, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) initiatives; cash voucher distributions to aid individuals from particularly devastated communities; shelter programmes including “Build Back Safer” trainings for sustainable roof repairs; household damage assessments in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, among other activities.
According to the ADR2026 forum overview, the event “convenes public, private, and humanitarian stakeholders from across the Americas, Latin America, and the Caribbean to address the evolving challenges of disaster risk management. With climate change, urbanisation, and socio-economic pressures intensifying both the frequency and impact of hazards, this year’s agenda is structured to move from risk reduction and preparedness through response, recovery, and future innovation. Across six interconnected panel discussions, ADR focuses on practical solutions, partnerships, and lessons learned, with particular attention to anticipatory action, resilient infrastructure, effective logistics, and the central role of local communities.”
The Jamaica Red Cross continues its post-Hurricane Melissa operations in providing relief support, sustainable capacity and resilience development, in addition to its regular programmes for the people of Jamaica.
