Alison Hammond has spoken of her devastation after witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic 185mph storm that tore through Jamaica, leaving thousands homeless and causing widespread destruction. The This Morning presenter, 51, visited the island seven months after the tropical cyclone struck in October 2025, killing at least 45 people and devastating large swathes of the Caribbean nation.
Heartbreaking Scenes in Black River
Alison, who was born in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, travelled to the port city of Black River, one of the worst-affected areas. There, she saw the remnants of people's lives scattered across the streets, including cars, sofas, and clothes. She described the experience as the biggest eye-opener of her life. At Black River Primary School, large parts of the building were left unusable, with some children still unable to return to in-person learning. Pupils spoke of the fear they felt as homes were damaged or swept away, and the ongoing uncertainty families face months later.
Meeting Resilient Children and Families
Alison met 11-year-old Orecia, a pupil at Darliston Primary School in Westmoreland, whose life was turned upside down by the hurricane. Orecia showed Alison around her severely damaged school, where classrooms lost their roofs and learning was halted. Alison also visited UNICEF-supported temporary learning spaces that are enabling children to return to education despite the devastation. Orecia and her classmates spoke about losing homes and belongings, fleeing the storm, and living with fear in its aftermath. Alison visited Orecia’s family home, which was left uninhabitable, forcing Orecia, her mother Alicia, and baby sister Octavia to move in with their grandmother.
UNICEF's Lifeline Support
UNICEF estimates that around 280,000 children in Jamaica need humanitarian assistance, with more than 100,000 experiencing disruption to their education due to damaged schools and unsafe learning environments. Temporary classrooms, school supplies, and psychosocial support have been arranged, helping tens of thousands of children return to learning and begin to recover from trauma. At a UNICEF-supported Child Friendly Space, Alison saw how children are being helped to cope through play, routine, and psychosocial support. She remarked, 'When something as horrific as a hurricane happens and your school is destroyed and you’ve lost your home, places like this are a lifeline.'
Soccer Aid Appeal and Matching Donations
Alison made the trip to raise awareness and vital funds ahead of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player at 5pm on Sunday May 31. A UNICEF film from Alison’s trip will be shown during the event. Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK CEO, said: 'Alison’s visit to Jamaica is a powerful reminder of the human cost of extreme climate events and the extraordinary resilience of children and families rebuilding their lives. Hurricanes don’t just destroy homes and schools, they disrupt childhoods.' The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) has committed to double every donation received up to £6 million for this campaign, with matched funding going directly towards the Child Nutrition Fund to tackle severe malnutrition and anaemia.
Alison's Call for Support
Alison urged the public to donate, saying, 'It’s made me think about families, when houses are broken down and stripped away, nobody can strip away the solid foundation of a family sticking together and pulling through this.' Donations can be made at socceraid.org.uk/donate.
