PM Holness thanks China for hurricane support, hospital ship and cleanup assistance

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed Jamaica’s gratitude to the Government of China for its support in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread damage across the island.

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Speaking on December 23 at the handover of 10 new tipper trucks to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Holness said China’s assistance played a critical role in both immediate relief and longer-term recovery efforts. The trucks, valued at approximately J$200 million, were presented at the agency’s headquarters in Kingston.

“The Chinese Government has been very good to us,” Holness said, noting that China provided material aid following the hurricane and deployed its navy hospital ship, the Silk Road Ark, to Jamaica to deliver emergency medical services.

The vessel spent 11 days in the country, providing care at the Montego Bay Cruise Pier, the Port Royal Pier and the Falmouth Pier. During its visit, the medical team conducted 7,563 consultations and performed 715 surgical procedures.

“I saw all the reports, and the ministers were very impressed,” Holness said. “The hundreds of people who benefited, I’m sure, are grateful. So, on behalf of the people of Jamaica, I want to say thanks to the Government of China for their support with the hospital ship.”

In addition to clinical services, the Chinese medical team donated medicines to Jamaica’s public health system and delivered health education lectures.

Holness also disclosed that China will assist Jamaica with equipment for the National Clean-Up Programme, including excavators, front-end loaders and other heavy machinery to support debris management and disaster response.

Once received, the equipment will be placed under the care of the Jamaica Defence Force, while remaining the property of the National Works Agency.

“The JDF will keep them in their fleet, but they are technically owned by the NWA,” the prime minister explained, adding that the arrangement will allow for rapid mobilisation during extreme weather events such as major landslides.

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He said the government is using international support and donated resources to strengthen Jamaica’s capacity to respond more effectively to future climate-related disasters.