A fundraiser in Tokyo is raising funds for communities in Jamaica recovering from Hurricane Melissa. Organized by Gordon Higgins, the event blends art, drag performances, and Jamaican cuisine to aid marginalized groups.
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica in October 2025, marking one of the fiercest storms in modern history with winds exceeding 295 kilometers per hour. The disaster impacted 1.25 million people, resulted in 45 deaths, forced over 1,000 into shelters, and left up to 360,000 in need of food assistance. Reconstruction efforts continue, but recovery remains slow.
Gordon Higgins, 41, who has lived in Japan for 17 years, followed the storm's developments from afar, anxious for his family and friends back home. "I wanted to do something in support of Jamaicans back home," Higgins says. "It was all really sad because this unprecedented storm got little to no news time in Japan."
Channeling that concern into action, Higgins is organizing a Tokyo fundraiser centered on the LGBTQ community. The event features art, drag performances, and Jamaican cuisine to benefit marginalized groups still recovering from the hurricane. Scheduled for February 18, 2026, it addresses the lack of media coverage in Japan and provides a platform for support. Ongoing aid underscores the prolonged needs in Jamaica.