LONDON, CMC – The United Kingdom on Wednesday announced that it is deploying US$3.36 million in emergency humanitarian funding to assist the Caribbean region’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, with targeted support for Jamaica. Emergency supplies have been positioned in Antigua to allow swift deployment to affected areas, it said, adding that British humanitarian and technical experts were being deployed to the region to assist with the coordination and delivery of aid.
UK’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, gave assurances in parliament after the matter was brought up by Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott.
Meanwhile, the UK is preparing flights to boost commercial capacity and transport British nationals out of Jamaica. The government says it will launch a flight registration form for British nationals to register their details and interest in flights.
The UK is in close contact with travel companies who are working to restore flights for holidaymakers and British nationals.
In addition, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has chartered a limited number of flights from Jamaica for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially due to Hurricane Melissa’s impact on the island.
All British nationals who have already registered via the Register Your Presence portal will be automatically contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal once airports reopen.
“The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days have been.
“The UK government is chartering flights to bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible,” said Cooper.
She added that two specialist Rapid Deployment Teams are traveling to Jamaica to facilitate the charter flights and provide consular assistance to British nationals.
Cooper’s office also said a Royal Navy ship was ready to assist, and Britain’s Ministry of Defense has sent a team to the Turks and Caicos Islands to support disaster management efforts. The aid package includes the rapid delivery of shelter kits, water filters, and blankets to help prevent injury and disease outbreaks, the government said.
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