Chargé d’Affaires Scott Renner Visits Project HOPE’s Mobile Medical Unit in Jamaica
The U.S. Government’s $2 Million Investment Supports Communities Recovering from Hurricane Melissa
Project HOPE, the global health and humanitarian organization, was honored to welcome the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Scott Renner to visit U.S.-supported activities in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. On Friday, March 27, Renner toured Project HOPE’s mobile medical unit (MMU) in Barrett Town in St. James parish where community members could access free medical care, mental health support, and hygiene kits. The visit – and a corresponding donation of 10,800 family hygiene kits worth more than US$105,000 – highlights the ongoing partnership between the United States and Project HOPE in supporting impacted communities across the hardest hit parishes.
“Project HOPE is incredibly grateful to the United States for their generous support of Project HOPE’s response to aid Jamaicans in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Five months following the historic Category 5 hurricane, far too many communities across Jamaica continue to lack access to basic necessities like medical care and clean water,” said Dr. Didinu Tamakloe, Project HOPE’s Country Director in Jamaica. “Thanks to the U.S. Government, we’ve been able to continue to provide primary health care, mental health and psychosocial support, surge support for local static health facilities, water trucking, and hygiene kits to the most impacted parishes across the island.”
“The United States is proud to partner with Project HOPE as we continue working together to help Jamaica recover from Hurricane Melissa,” said Scott Renner, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy. “Rebuilding isn’t just about putting a roof back on your house—it’s about restoring people, both physically and mentally, after a tragedy. That’s exactly the work Project HOPE is doing through its Mobile Medical Units.”
Barrett Town, the 82nd MMU established since November 2025, is part of a broader health initiative supported by a $2 million investment from the U.S. government. This effort has enabled Project HOPE to deliver health and humanitarian assistance to more than 125,000 people across the Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James, St. Elizabeth, and Trelawny parishes. At Project HOPE’s MMUs, patients can access free medical consultations, basic diagnostic assessments, non-communicable disease screening, wound care, pharmaceuticals, mental health and psychosocial support, and referrals to higher-level facilities.
As part of the U.S. program, Project HOPE is also distributing potable water and hygiene kits, while supporting surge staffing at health facilities. In the first three months following the hurricane, Project HOPE and its longtime partner, SAMU, also constructed and operated a field hospital outside Noel Holmes General Hospital to ensure continued access to emergency health services.
Access photos here. Direct media inquiries to media@projecthope.org.
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This program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of Project HOPE and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
