A total of 28 people have tragically lost their lives following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica, as confirmed by the government. Melissa, recorded as one of the strongest storms to ever make landfall in the Caribbean, unleashed ferocious winds of up to 185 mph when it struck the island earlier this week. The Red Cross has labeled this event a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe.
Hurricane Melissa did not confine its destruction to Jamaica alone; it wreaked havoc across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Although the storm weakened by the time it reached Cuba on Wednesday morning, it still caused significant damage, with numerous houses collapsing and roads becoming impassable. The government of Jamaica expressed its profound sorrow in a statement, saying, “We extend heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and communities mourning their loved ones.”
The confirmation of the fatalities coincided with the departure of the first British repatriation flight from Jamaica on Saturday evening local time. This flight, chartered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, was intended for those unable to leave Jamaica via commercial routes. Eyewitnesses and survivors have made desperate pleas for assistance, underscoring the urgent need for relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
In response to the disaster, essential relief supplies are beginning to arrive in some of the hardest-hit areas. The UK government has announced a mobilization of an additional £5 million in emergency humanitarian funding, building on the £2.5 million previously allocated earlier this week to support recovery efforts in the region. This new funding will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies, including over 3,000 shelter kits and more than 1,500 solar-powered lanterns to assist those whose homes have been severely damaged or who are currently without power.
The UK government is collaborating with the World Food Programme and the Red Cross to ensure that emergency relief reaches the individuals and communities most affected by the hurricane. In addition to Jamaica, at least 25 fatalities have been reported in the southern Haitian coastal town of Petit-Goave, where the La Digue river overflowed due to the hurricane's impact, as per the town's mayor, Jean Bertrand Subreme.
The devastation left in Hurricane Melissa's wake underscores the urgent need for support and recovery efforts in the Caribbean. As the region begins to rebuild, the international community's assistance will be crucial in helping those affected return to normalcy and rebuild their lives.
