UK Launches £2.5m Aid Plan for Hurricane Melissa

The UK Government has announced £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to support the Caribbean’s recovery following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

This funding will support a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, to help prevent injury and disease outbreaks. These emergency relief items have already been pre-positioned in Antigua to ensure they can be quickly deployed to the areas most in need.

Additionally, UK humanitarian and technical experts have been deployed to the region to assist with the coordination and delivery of aid.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper: “The UK Is Acting Swiftly to Support Jamaica”

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated:

“The UK is acting swiftly to support the Jamaican authorities in providing disaster relief and expertise in response to this terrible storm.”

Specialist rapid deployment teams have also been sent to the region to provide 24-hour consular assistance to British nationals affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Royal Navy and Defence Support

The Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is providing a maritime presence in the region to offer disaster-response support if required.

Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defence has pre-deployed a team to the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist with all phases of disaster-management planning, response, and recovery.

FCDO Rapid Deployment Team Operating from Miami

A specialist Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Rapid Deployment Team has also travelled to Miami, ready to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals.

These teams include specially trained consular officers equipped to manage emergency situations, provide logistical support, and liaise with local authorities to ensure that British nationals receive the help they need.

British nationals in Jamaica are advised to register their presence with the FCDO to receive the latest updates and guidance.

International Coordination and Humanitarian Partnership

The UK is working closely with tour operators, the Jamaican authorities, and international partners — including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UN agencies — to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches affected areas quickly and meets the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.