Carla Dunbar Ministries launches relief collaboration website
Published:Tuesday | November 25, 2025 | 12:08 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica has seen compassion but also familiar challenges. Some communities receive repeated visits, while others get little or no aid. The issue is not a lack of care, but a lack of coordinated information.
To close that gap, Carla Dunbar Ministries International (CDMI) has launched the Hurricane Melissa Relief Collaboration Platform (HMRCP) through its outreach arm, Kingdom Out. The website aims to bring structure, transparency and collaboration to recovery efforts.
The platform offers a verified space for churches, NGOs, counsellors and volunteers to share outreach details, connect resources and coordinate aid, said Bishop Dr Carla Dunbar, CDMI chief executive officer and lead counselling therapist.
Kingdom Out, established five years ago, has coordinated specialised ministries across several parishes, most recently in Kingston and St Thomas.
“Following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, we did a needs assessment, and based on the logistics of the areas most affected, we saw many inefficiencies, primarily in areas where some persons were always receiving, while others were not getting anything at all,” Bishop Dr Dunbar said.
The HMRCP centralises outreach data, allowing users to log trips, report underserved areas and connect with partners. “For example, persons with aid can collaborate with those who have vehicles, and access a verified database of ongoing relief efforts across all parishes. By improving visibility and accountability, the platform helps Jamaica serve smarter, reduce waste, and ensure no community is left behind,” she said.
CDMI chief financial officer and operations manager Damarli Dunbar conceptualised the site. “It transforms fragmented relief into unified national impact. Our people are not failing from a lack of compassion, but from a lack of coordination. This platform brings clarity, order, and connection, so every church, every organisation, and every volunteer can serve where it counts most,” she said.
The site requires no login to submit trips or report communities. Contact details are hidden unless verified, and only organisers and volunteers can view trip information. It is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act, with admin-only access to verification documents, according to CDMI.
The HMRCP also serves as a precursor to CDMI’s annual Kingdom Out Family Benevolence Outreach, which partners with government agencies, private organisations and supporters to provide food, healthcare, crisis care and psychosocial services to families in need.
Since 2022, Kingdom Out has completed missions in three parishes. In December 2025, the team will enter its fourth parish, marking the first stop on the Kingdom Out National Care and Recovery Tour.
Beyond material aid, Kingdom Out seeks partnerships with inter-agency groups, mental health professionals, community organisations and faith-based entities to strengthen long-term recovery.
“We welcome collaboration from any group or institution. True national recovery requires coordination, not competition, and a united commitment to restoring the well-being of our people,” Damar said.