Essential aid from the United Kingdom has arrived in Jamaica to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Melissa. The first UK chartered flight is also preparing to bring British citizens home later today. The relief effort includes over 3,000 emergency shelter kits, part of a £7.5 million regional aid package. The funding also supports the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, with contributions from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Despite the arrival of aid, the hurricane’s impact, including fallen trees and landslides, has made distribution challenging. Melissa, a category five storm, caused significant destruction and loss of life across the Caribbean, with at least 19 fatalities reported in Jamaica and dozens more in Haiti and Cuba.
Jamaica’s Information Minister described entire communities as “marooned” and “flattened.” The UK’s support package, initially £2.5 million, has been increased to £7.5 million following the full extent of the devastation becoming apparent.
The British Red Cross highlighted the importance of donations, including those from the Royal family, for providing critical search and rescue, healthcare, shelter, and clean water. Currently, a significant portion of Jamaica remains without electricity, and thousands are in emergency shelters, underscoring the urgent need for supplies like generators and tarpaulins.
The situation has led to desperation, with reports of people entering supermarkets for essential supplies and long queues for fuel. Many hospitals have also sustained damage, requiring relocation of services and immediate attention to preserve emergency care. Authorities are working to restore power and ensure a steady supply of fuel and water to critical facilities and communities.
The BBC has witnessed the impact firsthand, with residents facing hours-long waits for fuel, only to find it unavailable. Efforts are being made to reach the worst-affected areas, with aid organizations and diaspora volunteers dispatching supplies. While the immediate relief is a start, further assistance is anticipated.
Approximately 8,000 British nationals were estimated to be in Jamaica when the hurricane struck. The UK foreign office has advised citizens to register their presence and contact airlines regarding available commercial travel options.
Related
- ‘We need food, we have no food’ – desperation takes hold in Jamaica after hurricane
- Hurricane death toll rises as Jamaica aid effort struggles
- ‘No inch here was spared’: Hurricane Melissa destroys Jamaica town