A flight carrying British aid arrived in Jamaica early on Saturday to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, as the UK plans its first chartered flight to bring British nationals home later on Saturday. The aid flight brought more than 3,000 emergency shelter kits as part of a £7.5m regional emergency package. Part of the funding will be used to match public donations up to £1m to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent - with King Charles and Queen Camilla among those who have donated.
Despite aid arriving in Jamaica in recent days, fallen trees and landslides have complicated distribution after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of the island, killing at least 19 people. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a category five storm and was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the Caribbean.
Melissa swept across the region for several days, leaving destruction and dozens of deaths in its wake. In Haiti, at least 30 people were killed, while Cuba experienced significant flooding and landslides. Jamaica's Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon noted on Friday, there are entire communities that seem to be marooned and areas that seem to be flattened.
The UK initially set aside a £2.5 million immediate support package, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday.
Cooper remarked that the announcement was made as more information emerged about the scale of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, including damaged homes, blocked roads, and lost lives. The British Red Cross confirmed that the donation from the King and Queen would facilitate their lifesaving efforts in Jamaica, which include search and rescue operations as well as maintaining access to healthcare, safe shelter, and clean water.
Currently, 72% of Jamaica remains without electricity, and around 6,000 individuals are seeking refuge in emergency shelters. As power restoration efforts continue, any generators distributed by aid agencies will be crucial along with necessary materials like tarpaulins to address the housing crisis. Many residents are struggling to obtain clean drinking water and basic food supplies, leading to instances of desperation as people raid supermarkets for provisions.
The UK's charter flight to repatriate British citizens is set to depart from Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport, underscoring the urgent need for safe passage amid the ongoing crisis. The UK foreign office has encouraged all travelers to register their presence and stay informed about their travel options with airlines.
Despite aid arriving in Jamaica in recent days, fallen trees and landslides have complicated distribution after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of the island, killing at least 19 people. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a category five storm and was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the Caribbean.
Melissa swept across the region for several days, leaving destruction and dozens of deaths in its wake. In Haiti, at least 30 people were killed, while Cuba experienced significant flooding and landslides. Jamaica's Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon noted on Friday, there are entire communities that seem to be marooned and areas that seem to be flattened.
The UK initially set aside a £2.5 million immediate support package, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday.
Cooper remarked that the announcement was made as more information emerged about the scale of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, including damaged homes, blocked roads, and lost lives. The British Red Cross confirmed that the donation from the King and Queen would facilitate their lifesaving efforts in Jamaica, which include search and rescue operations as well as maintaining access to healthcare, safe shelter, and clean water.
Currently, 72% of Jamaica remains without electricity, and around 6,000 individuals are seeking refuge in emergency shelters. As power restoration efforts continue, any generators distributed by aid agencies will be crucial along with necessary materials like tarpaulins to address the housing crisis. Many residents are struggling to obtain clean drinking water and basic food supplies, leading to instances of desperation as people raid supermarkets for provisions.
The UK's charter flight to repatriate British citizens is set to depart from Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport, underscoring the urgent need for safe passage amid the ongoing crisis. The UK foreign office has encouraged all travelers to register their presence and stay informed about their travel options with airlines.
