Hurricane Melissa lashed through Jamaica turning it into a ‘disaster area’, leaving a trail of destruction behind – entire towns underwater, hospitals severely damaged and roofs ripped from buildings.
Recovery efforts are underway after the Category 5 storm – but Jamaicanofficials have warned that it will be slow and will take ‘every helping hand’.
The cost of the damage is still being estimated, but some calculations say it could be as high as several billions of dollars.
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What donations are needed in Jamaica?
The government has launched an official website for relief and recovery efforts, where people can report and access updates on flooding locations or blocked roads.
It also featured a preliminary needs list to support the estimated 400,000 residents affected by Melissa.
This includes anything and everything from batteries and safety vests to hygiene kits, oxygen masks, defibrillator and excavators, further showing the catastrophic effects of the hurricane.
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Bottled drinking water, purification tablets and filters, food and first aid kits have been listed as ‘immediate’ priority.
Dana Morris Dixon, the minister of education, skills, youth and information, said the site will be the official platform to donate money.
She urged the public to be wary of other entities asking for donations and added: ‘We have already been made aware of some nefarious individuals trying to collect money on behalf of Jamaica. We remind you that this will be the official site.’
Which countries are helping the recovery efforts?
Sir Keir Starmer described the hurricane aftermath in the Caribbean island as ‘truly shocking’ and confirmed that UK is ready to provide humanitarian support, including £2.5 million.
He told MPs today that HMS Trent and ‘specialist rapid deployment teams’ had been ‘pre-positioned in the region’ to provide support.
‘Both the foreign secretary and I have been in close contact with our Jamaican counterparts in recent days to offer the UK’s full support,’ he said.
‘I can update the House that HMS Trent and specialist rapid deployment teams are pre-positioned in the region, and we stand ready to provide humanitarian support.’
Meanwhile, Donald Trump said he is monitoring the damage and is ready to aid Jamaica in its recovery.
The US president said: ‘On a humanitarian basis, we have to. So we are watching it closely and we are prepared to move.’
What can you do to help?
For people outside of Jamaica, who want to help, one of the most effective ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than sending goods.
The UK government warned that unsolicited donations of goods, although well-intentioned, can obstruct supply chains and delay assistance.
The British Red Cross is one of the charities raising funds to help Jamaica after mobilising its teams across the Caribbean as the hurricane heads towards Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Alexander Pendry, global response manager, said: ‘We are waiting for dawn to break in Jamaica so that teams can assess the full extent of the damage, but early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island.
‘The immediate priorities are search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies.
‘Tragically, experience tells us that the impact on communities and individuals will be shattering and long lasting. We will be here for as long as people need us.’
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