A UK support team in Antigua and Barbuda is coordinating the transfer of emergency supplies to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Led by Resident British Commissioner John Hamilton, the team has been working with the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority to move relief goods from Deep Water Harbour to V.C. Bird International Airport for air shipment to Kingston.
The operation forms part of a wider UK regional response to support both British nationals and Jamaica’s recovery efforts.
Hamilton said the UK’s swift action reflected its commitment to the Caribbean in times of crisis. “The scale of damage in Jamaica is heartbreaking,” he said. “We’re ensuring vital supplies — water, food, medical kits, and temporary shelters — reach those most in need.”
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on Tuesday with winds of over 190 miles per hour, causing widespread flooding and destruction. St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon were hardest hit, with at least three deaths confirmed and many more people injured or displaced.
Jamaican authorities have declared several areas disaster zones as recovery operations continue. The Jamaica Defence Force, volunteers, and international partners — including CARICOM, the UK, and USAID — are supporting relief efforts.
Hamilton said the UK would remain engaged “for as long as necessary” to assist regional recovery.