UK aid for Hurricane Melissa reaches Jamaica as Britons to be evacuated

UK aid for Hurricane Melissa reaches Jamaica as Britons to be evacuated

An aircraft carrying essential supplies arrived in Jamaica over the weekend to assist with recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, while the UK prepares for its inaugural chartered flight to repatriate British citizens on the same day. The aid delivery included over 3,000 emergency shelter kits as part of a regional relief package totaling £7.5 million. A portion of the funds will be used to match public contributions up to £1 million for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, with King Charles and Queen Camilla among the donors.

Despite the recent arrival of aid in Jamaica, the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has made distribution challenging due to fallen trees and landslides that have hindered relief efforts. The storm, which made landfall in Jamaica as a category five hurricane, is one of the most potent storms ever recorded in the Caribbean. The devastation left by Melissa extended across the region, claiming lives and causing destruction in Haiti and Cuba as well.

Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon stated that there are entire communities that appear isolated and regions that have been flattened by the hurricane. Following assessments of the damage caused by Melissa, the UK government initially allocated £2.5 million in immediate financial assistance, with an additional £5 million pledged by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. This support aims to address the urgent needs of those impacted by the natural disaster.

As the recovery efforts continue in Jamaica, international aid organizations and foreign governments are mobilizing resources to assist the affected communities. While challenges persist due to impassable roads and damaged infrastructure, relief is beginning to reach some of the worst-affected areas. The urgency to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis is emphasized as thousands of British nationals on the island await repatriation. The repatriation process will be facilitated by the UK’s chartered flight departing from Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport to bring citizens back home

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