Following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that has ravaged Jamaica, the United Kingdom is mobilizing significant relief efforts. A chartered flight is scheduled to depart from Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday, specifically to evacuate British citizens who remain on the island. This comes as a £7.5 million emergency aid package is being distributed across the Caribbean region, with a portion of this funding designated to match public donations up to £1 million for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. King Charles and Queen Camilla are among those who have contributed to this vital relief fund.
The hurricane, one of the most intense ever recorded in the Caribbean, made landfall on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction. Reports indicate that at least 19 people have lost their lives in Jamaica alone, with many communities completely isolated due to impassable roads caused by landslides and storm debris. The damage extends to critical infrastructure, including a number of hospitals, with the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth being particularly hard-hit and requiring services to be relocated.
Amidst widespread power outages affecting 72% of the island and approximately 6,000 people housed in emergency shelters, the focus is on immediate relief. Aid organizations are working to distribute essential supplies such as tarpaulins for damaged homes and generators to restore power. The urgency is palpable, with reports of desperation leading some individuals to collect food from supermarkets for distribution.
The British foreign office has urged its citizens in Jamaica to register their presence and to check with their airlines for any available commercial travel options. The scale of the devastation, marked by destroyed homes and lost lives, has prompted additional funding announcements. The Red Cross is actively involved in search and rescue operations, providing access to healthcare, shelter, and clean water, underscoring the critical need for sustained humanitarian support.