KINGSTON, Jamaica. — A relief flight carrying tens of thousands of pounds of medical supplies and other aid departed Miami International Airport on Monday, part of a growing effort across South Florida to assist Jamaica as the island recovers from Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 hurricane.

Local 10 News reporter Aaron Maybin joined the mission on the flight, noting that 50,000 pounds of “monumental” supplies will be delivered Monday, with another 50,000 pounds expected to arrive Tuesday.

The supplies include water, food, medical equipment and general aid that will be distributed across Jamaica.

The effort is being led by Captain Barrington Irving, the aviation pioneer known for being the youngest person to fly solo around the world. Irving described the mission as one of hope.

South Florida officials joined the relief effort in Miami before the flight. Miami-Dade County Commissioners Oliver Gilbert III and Kionne McGhee emphasized unity and the community’s longstanding ties to Jamaica.

“This is about our region and showing who we are as a community,” Gilbert said. “Who we are as a community is all of us coming together. When we unite behind that effort, we can do extraordinary things, and that’s what you see here today.”

McGhee highlighted the symbolic and practical significance of the shipments.

“What you’re witnessing this morning is hope on full display,” he said. “We are them and they are us, which means we are one. We have to show hope, and that’s what you’re seeing here.”

Other participants included Briana Williams, a South Florida native and gold medalist for Jamaica who helped raise supplies, and athletes Wendell Carter Jr., DJ Reader, and WWE’s Titus O’Neal, whose real name is Thaddeus Buller.

Armika Naba, who is part of the coordination team, emphasized the humanitarian spirit behind the effort.

“This is bigger than me,” Naba said. “It’s about bringing humanity back, showing love, compassion and empathy for other people beyond ourselves.”

The relief mission is part of a broader effort by South Florida communities to aid hurricane recovery across the Caribbean. More flights and deliveries are expected to continue in the coming days.

The relief effort comes as volunteers, community groups and local governments across South Florida continue to collect and organize donations for storm survivors abroad.

Gilbert noted that Miami-Dade’s diversity makes international solidarity a natural response.

“Thirty-three percent of the people in Miami-Dade County were born in a different country,” he said. “What’s special about us is us coming together. It’s going to be Jamaica, it’s going to be Haiti, it’s going to be Cuba. Miami-Dade County is where the American dream is made real. We want the people of Jamaica to know they don’t ever have to be hopeless as long as we’re here.”

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