A flight carrying British aid landed in Jamaica early on Saturday, marking a crucial step in the recovery efforts following the destructive impact of Hurricane Melissa. As part of a broader initiative, the UK is also preparing its first chartered flight to repatriate British nationals stranded on the island.
The aid flight delivered over 3,000 emergency shelter kits, contributing to a substantial £7.5 million regional emergency package aimed at supporting hurricane recovery efforts. This funding will partially match donations made to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, with notable contributions from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Despite the arrival of aid in Jamaica, distribution has been hampered by fallen trees and landslides, complicating recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the island, resulting in at least 19 fatalities. The hurricane, which made landfall on Tuesday as a powerful category five storm, is noted as one of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded in the Caribbean.
Hurricane Melissa's impact extended beyond Jamaica, causing significant damage in Haiti, where at least 30 people lost their lives, and Cuba, which experienced severe flooding and landslides. Jamaica's Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, reported on Friday that entire communities appear marooned, with many areas left completely flattened.
In response to the escalating crisis, the UK government initially allocated a £2.5 million immediate financial support package, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday. Cooper stated that increased awareness of the hurricane's devastating effects, including damage to homes and roads, prompted this enhanced support.
The British Red Cross highlighted that donations from the King and Queen would bolster the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), which is actively engaged in lifesaving operations in Jamaica. These efforts include search and rescue missions, as well as providing access to healthcare, safe shelter, and clean water.
As of Saturday morning, approximately 72% of Jamaica remains without electricity, with around 6,000 individuals residing in emergency shelters. The recovery process hinges on restoring the broken electricity grid, making the distribution of generators and tarpaulins essential. The extent of the housing crisis exacerbates the need for immediate assistance.
With countless individuals lacking access to clean drinking water and basic food supplies, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Reports have emerged of desperate individuals entering supermarkets in search of food. Additionally, long queues have formed at petrol stations, with many waiting for hours only to find that there is no fuel available when they reach the front.
Despite the ongoing challenges of landslides, downed power lines, and obstructed roads, some of the hardest-hit areas in Jamaica are set to receive much-needed relief in the coming hours. One aid organization, Global Empowerment Mission, has dispatched a seven-truck convoy from Kingston to Black River, a town severely affected by the hurricane, delivering humanitarian assistance prepared by volunteers from the Jamaican diaspora in Florida.
With approximately 8,000 British nationals believed to be on the island during the hurricane, the UK’s first chartered flight is scheduled to depart from Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport later on Saturday. The UK Foreign Office has urged travelers to register their presence on the island and to contact their airlines regarding the availability of commercial flights.
