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As Jamaicans work to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa\u2019s devastating sweep through the island\u2019s western parishes, several local and international celebrities are stepping forward to help ease the burden.<\/p>\n
The late-October Category 5 storm affected roughly 1.5 million of Jamaica\u2019s nearly 3 million residents. The death toll has risen to 45 as of this week, and early damage assessments estimate losses exceeding $10 billion JMD ($87.4 million CAD).<\/p>\n
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As the island\u2019s hardship gains global attention, here are some of the celebrities contributing to the recovery effort.<\/p>\n
In collaboration with Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, Toronto rapper Drake\u2019s brand October\u2019s Very Own released a limited edition Jamaica OG Hoodie earlier this month, which saw $100 of every sweater sold donated to the Rockhouse Foundation Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund.<\/p>\n
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Scarborough\u2019s very own The Weeknd donated $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund<\/a>, which will benefit the World Food Programme (WFP), an organization where he\u2019s assumed the role of ambassador. The WFP says the singer\u2019s generous donation will assist in helping a target of 200,000 Jamaicans who were impacted by the Category 5 storm.<\/p>\n Alongside DJ and music producer Diplo, the Jamaican-Canadian model took a boots on the ground approach, riding boats through communities in Saint Elizabeth to deliver food, water and supplies to families hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.<\/p>\n Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley\u2019s grandsons Skip and Soul-Rebel are performing in Toronto on Friday at Adelaide Hall, with proceeds from the show supporting the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation Relief Fund<\/a> for those impacted by the hurricane.<\/p>\n Dancehall icon Vybz Kartel\u2019s Adidja Palmer Foundation has delivered a 40-foot container loaded with over 12,000 bottles of water, 1,500 loaves of bread, and essential items to Western Jamaica. The foundation is also working with World Central Kitchen<\/a> to distribute hot meals, as well has helped to clear debris and distribute aid.<\/p>\n Jamaican dancehall singer and rapper Sean Paul has been very vocal about how the hurricane is affecting his native island and announced that he\u2019ll match up to $50,000 in donations to help those impacted.<\/p>\n Dancehall musician Buju Banton is using his platform to gather donations to help deliver 50,000 lbs of supplies to Jamaica by plane.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just days after the devastation in Jamaica, reggae star Shaggy offloaded a plane filled with emergency supplies for residents in Saint Elizabeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jamaican dancehall queen Spice has been highlighting her on-the-ground relief efforts on social media, using her Grace Hamilton Foundation<\/a> to deliver multiple truckloads of construction supplies, clothing, and care packages.<\/p>\nWinnie Harlow<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Skip and Soul-Rebel Marley\u00a0<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Vybz Kartel<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n
Sean Paul\u00a0<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Buju Banton<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Shaggy\u00a0<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Spice<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Rihanna<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n