US and UK step up humanitarian aid for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

The first three of eight U.S. military helicopters arrived in Jamaica on Friday, October 31, carrying urgently needed relief supplies for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

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The aircraft, which will be deployed across the island to support ongoing relief efforts, were received by Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, at the Caribbean Military Academy’s School of Aviation in Kingston.

“I want to thank the Government of the United States of America and, of course, the U.S. Embassy here in Jamaica for the coordination,” Minister Vaz said. “We are hoping that by tomorrow the balance will be here—if not, the latest this weekend—and of course, these three will be put to work tomorrow morning in conjunction with the Jamaica Defence Force.”

The helicopters will assist with the distribution of food, water, and other supplies to hard-hit communities in western Jamaica, many of which remain cut off due to severe flooding and road damage. Vaz reassured citizens that the government is working to get assistance to those most in need following the Category 5 storm.

“We understand the frustration and the suffering from the catastrophic hurricane,” he said. “We definitely are doing everything in our power to respond as quickly as possible. We pray for you, and God bless Jamaica.”

Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Scott Renner, told JIS News that the helicopters will remain on the island for the duration of the relief operation. “They’ll be used to help the shipments that come in to be moved around the country to the areas in need because these big helicopters can go where they need to go,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has announced an additional £5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to support Jamaica and the wider Caribbean’s recovery—on top of the £2.5 million pledged earlier in the week.

The new aid package includes over 3,000 shelter kits and 1,500 solar-powered lanterns to assist families whose homes were damaged or who remain without electricity. The UK is coordinating with the World Food Programme and the Red Cross to ensure supplies reach the hardest-hit areas.

Humanitarian and technical experts have also been deployed to the region, where the UK had pre-positioned emergency materials in Antigua & Barbuda to enable a swift response.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the additional support reflects the growing understanding of the storm’s impact. “More information is now coming through on the scale of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, with homes damaged, roads blocked and lives lost,” she said. “That is why the UK Government is now increasing our funding for humanitarian support to ensure we can get shelter kits, solar lamps and sanitation products to those who need it most.”

Part of the funding will also go toward matching public donations—up to £1 million—to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) appeal in support of Jamaica.

Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas, welcomed the support, saying, “People in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa have a long road ahead to recover and rebuild stronger. This contribution will help the IFRC and the Jamaica Red Cross provide critical support along that journey—from restoring homes and livelihoods to preparing for future hurricanes.”