A British aid flight arrived in Jamaica early Saturday to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island as a Category 5 storm. This hurricane was one of the most powerful ever to impact the Caribbean, causing significant damage and claiming at least 19 lives in Jamaica. The aid delivery included over 3,000 emergency shelter kits as part of a £7.5 million emergency package announced by the UK government. This funding includes matching public donations to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, with contributions from King Charles and Queen Camilla noted.
Despite the arrival of aid, challenges remain in distributing supplies due to landslides and fallen trees. Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon reported that entire communities appeared isolated and significant areas were heavily damaged. In addition to Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa affected Haiti, resulting in at least 30 fatalities, and caused flooding and landslides in Cuba.
The UK initially allocated £2.5 million for immediate support, with an additional £5 million pledged by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as reports surfaced detailing the scale of destruction. The British Red Cross indicated that the royal family’s donation aids the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s initiatives, including search and rescue operations and healthcare access. As of Saturday morning, approximately 72% of Jamaica lacked electricity, and around 6,000 individuals were residing in emergency shelters, highlighting a pressing need for temporary housing solutions.
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s health minister, described “significant damage” to hospitals, particularly the Black River Hospital. He noted that emergency services must be preserved as hospitals face an influx of trauma cases related to the storm. While aid organizations are mobilizing resources, reports from residents indicate increasing desperation as people seek food and fuel. The UK’s first chartered flight to repatriate British nationals is scheduled to leave Kingston later on Saturday, with around 8,000 nationals believed to still be on the island. The Foreign Office has advised travelers to register their presence and communicate with airlines about potential commercial options for returning home.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg441qyv2xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss