Key Highlights
- The UK government is sending a chartered flight to evacuate British nationals from Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa.
- Aid packages totaling £7.5 million have been dispatched by the UK as part of regional emergency assistance efforts.
- Jamaica’s Information Minister reported that entire communities are marooned, and many homes were damaged or destroyed.
- The British Red Cross announced a donation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla to support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in rescue operations.
Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica Reeling from Devastating Storm
As the Caribbean nation of Jamaica continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, British nationals are being evacuated from the island as part of a coordinated relief effort by the UK government. The hurricane, which made landfall on Tuesday as a category five storm, has left significant damage and loss of life in its wake.
Evacuation Efforts Begin
A chartered flight is set to depart from Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday, evacuating British nationals. The UK government initially allocated £2.5 million for immediate financial support, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper this week.
UK Aid and Donations
The aid packages include a pledge to match public donations up to £1 million to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla among those who have contributed. The UK’s response is part of a broader regional emergency package totaling £7.5 million.
Destruction in Jamaica
According to Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon, “there are entire communities that seem to be marooned and areas that seem to be flattened.” Around 8,000 British nationals were thought to have been on the island when Hurricane Melissa hit. The country’s health minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, reported significant damage across hospitals, with many people arriving at facilities suffering trauma-related injuries.
Local and International Response
Aid is entering Jamaica despite logistical challenges such as blocked roads, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Organizations like the British Red Cross are working closely with local authorities to provide essential services including shelter, healthcare, and clean water. The country’s health minister noted that arrangements had been made for ongoing fuel supply to hospitals and a daily water supply.
“We need food, we have no food” – desperation is growing among affected Jamaicans as the full scale of destruction becomes clear.
The British Red Cross’s donation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla will help support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in its lifesaving work during this critical time.
The situation remains fluid, with more reports emerging about the extent of damage and the urgent needs of those affected by Hurricane Melissa. As relief efforts continue, the focus is on providing immediate aid while planning for long-term recovery and rebuilding in Jamaica.
