Jamaican music superstar Sean Paul has described the scale of the humanitarian effort needed in the country as 'overwhelming' following the devastation brought by Hurricane Melissa last week.
The Grammy-winning reggae artist expressed that the category five storm was 'very frightening, especially for my young kids'.
That's the first time they've seen trees dance like that and the wind move like that, he recounted during an interview with BBC News. They're in shock still, and traumatized. Can you imagine the children who are in the epicenter of it? It feels like you're in the Middle Ages.
The hurricane's winds reached speeds of 185 mph (295 km/h), causing the tragic death of at least 28 people. Although Paul and his family were relatively safe in Kingston, other regions experienced severe damage.
Paul noted the emotional burden of the situation, stating, It is really difficult to bear. We weren't hit in Kingston very hard, but it was frightening. And you're wondering, at any minute now is there going to be, you know, some tree that comes along and slaps your roof off? He shared concerns about friends in Montego Bay who had lost their roofs and were working tirelessly to assist others affected by the hurricane.
In light of the destruction, Paul pledged $50,000 (£38,000) to match donations for Food For The Poor Jamaica, describing the experience as 'a very mind-blowing situation'. He added, It's just the amount of energy it takes, and the depression that starts to set in, and then you have to shake yourself out of it because there's just so much to be done that we haven't even tipped the iceberg yet.
Sean Paul emphasized the need for continued assistance, reporting on the ongoing struggles of those in rural areas without power or access to aid. Desperate stories also emerged, such as the case of babies sleeping in cardboard boxes due to a lack of proper shelter.
Fellow Jamaican artist Shaggy joined Paul in expressing his shock and grief over the devastation, actively coordinating aid efforts and planning a concert to raise funds for recovery efforts down the line. It breaks my heart. I couldn't help but weep. These are my people, Shaggy expressed regarding the destruction observed in hard-hit areas.
