US State Department announces additional US$2.5 Million for Hurricane Melissa Recovery at AMCHAM Jamaica 40th Anniversary Gala

American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) President Ann-Dawn Young Sang (right) greets Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response Taylor Garrett (left) just before the start of the AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Sharing in the moment is Charles Clatanoff, Economic and Commercial Officer at the US Embassy, Kingston.

Jamaica’s ongoing recovery efforts following the passing of Hurricane Melissa received a significant boost on Wednesday night (May 27) as the United States Department of State announced an additional US$2.5 million in humanitarian assistance during the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40^th Anniversary Gala, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The announcement, made during the presentation of the Eagle of the Americas Award to the Bureau for Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR) of the U.S. Department of State, underscored the continuing humanitarian partnership between Jamaica and the United States in the wake of the devastating Category 5 hurricane that struck the island in October 2025.

The additional funding builds on more than US$22 million in emergency humanitarian assistance already mobilised by the United States Government following Hurricane Melissa, one of the most destructive storms to impact Jamaica in recent history.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Taylor Garrett accepted the Eagle of the Americas Award on behalf of DHR and reflected on the importance of sustained partnership and resilience throughout Jamaica’s recovery process.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Thalia Lyn (left) engages Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response Taylor Garrett (second left); Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy in Kingston Scott Renner (second right) and American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) President Ann-Dawn Young Sang in a lively discussion while attending the AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response Taylor Garrett (second left); Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy in Kingston Scott Renner (second right) and American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) President Ann-Dawn Young Sang in a lively discussion while attending the AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

AmCham Jamaica President Ann-Dawn Young Sang noted that the evening highlighted the critical role of international cooperation during moments of national crisis.

“The response to Hurricane Melissa demonstrated the extraordinary impact of partnership, compassion and coordinated leadership,” Young Sang said. “As AmCham Jamaica marks 40 years of strengthening ties between Jamaica and the United States, it is fitting that we recognise a humanitarian effort that brought hope and relief to so many Jamaicans during one of the country’s most difficult periods.”

She continued, “AmCham Jamaica will continue advocating for sustainable growth, expanded investment, innovation, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. We will continue supporting emerging opportunities in renewable energy, including solar and wind, while encouraging investments that strengthen both our economy and our resilience, as this is what meaningful partnership looks like.”

The Anniversary Gala brought together senior government officials, diplomats, private sector leaders and members of the philanthropic community to celebrate leadership, civic engagement and corporate responsibility.

From left: Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy Scott Renner; Custos Rotulorum for the Parish of St Andrew and AmCham Jamaica Vice President Hon. Ian Forbes and AmCham Jamaica President Ann-Dawn Young Sang (centre) presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Hon. Karl Hendrickson, OJ, CD, Hon. LLD for his extraordinary contributions to business, tourism, philanthropy and national development; to his granddaughter, Amanda Hendrickson (second right); great grandson, Dylan Marzouca and son, Kevin Hendrickson during the AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala.

Among the evening’s top honours was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to The Hon. Karl Hendrickson, OJ, CD, Hon. LLD for his extraordinary contributions to business, tourism, philanthropy and national development. The award was accepted on his behalf by his son, Kevin Hendrickson, granddaughter, Amanda Hendrickson , and great grandson, Dylan Marzouca.

The coveted 2026 President’s Award was presented to Audrey Tugwell-Henry, President and CEO of Scotiabank Jamaica, for her exemplary civic leadership and impact on Jamaica’s financial sector. Her daughter, Peter-Kay Henry, accepted the award on her behalf.

The Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards programme highlighted organisations and individuals whose work continues to strengthen families and communities across the nation. This year, special Good Samaritan Awards were presented in recognition of humanitarian support following Hurricane Melissa, honouring the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation and the Sean Paul Foundation for their extraordinary relief efforts in the affected Western communities.

From left: Grace Kennedy Limited’s Head of Corporate Communications Suzanne Nam and American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AmCham Jamaica) Vice President Stephen Price (centre) present Steve Wilson, co-manager to Sean Paul and the Sean Paul Foundation with The Good Samaritan Award for the Foundations extraordinary compassion and generosity in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa the AmCham Business & Civic Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and 40th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

In the CSR categories, Danielle Rae Neil/The Happi Hub was named winner for Small Organisations, while the Grace Kennedy Group received top honours in the Large Organisations category. The AmCham Jamaica Civic Leadership Awards for Excellence for Large Companies was awarded to the Digicel Foundation, while Christopher Chinapoo walked away with the coveted prize for the Individuals and Small organisations category.

AmCham Jamaica extends sincere appreciation to its valued sponsors whose generous support made the milestone celebration possible, including SOL Petroleum, Legend, Excelerate Energy, the Flow Foundation, Liberty Business, GraceKennedy, A Peart Advisory Services, AYS Global Consulting, Wisynco, Citibank, Phase Three, ATL Automotive/Audi Jamaica, Intelligent Media Limited, Tru Juice, Calico Jack, whose partnership and commitment to excellence helped bring the 40th Anniversary Gala to life.