Jamaica to benefit from UK’s £2.5 million hurricane recovery fund

Jamaica is set to benefit from £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding from the United Kingdom to support recovery efforts across the Caribbean following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The funding will facilitate a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters and blankets, aimed at preventing injuries and disease outbreaks, the British High Commission in Kingston said in a statement.

Emergency relief supplies have already been prepositioned in Antigua to allow for swift deployment to the hardest-hit areas. In addition, UK humanitarian and technical experts are being sent to the region to help coordinate and deliver aid.

“The UK stands in full solidarity with the people of Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. We are deeply saddened by the loss and disruption this storm has caused,” said British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert. “Our thoughts are with those who have been affected, and we pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the Jamaican people as recovery begins.”

The UK government said it is working closely with tour operators, Jamaican authorities and international partners—including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and United Nations agencies—to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches affected communities and addresses the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The UK is acting swiftly to support the Jamaican authorities in providing disaster relief and expertise in response to this terrible storm. Specialist rapid deployment teams have also been positioned in the region to provide consular assistance round the clock to British nationals affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.”

British nationals in Jamaica are encouraged to register their presence to receive updates from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Meanwhile, Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is maintaining a maritime presence in the region to provide disaster response support if needed. The UK Ministry of Defence has also pre-deployed a team to the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist with all phases of disaster management, including preparation, response and recovery.

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