Melissa struck the island as a category 5 storm last week.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke with Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday, emphasising that “international support is crucial” as the country deals with the hurricane’s catastrophic aftermath of torrential rain, storm surges and flooding.
“He calls for the mobilisation of massive resources to deal with the loss and damage from the hurricane,” said the Deputy UN Spokesperson following the call.
The UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to enable UN agencies and partners to rapidly scale up humanitarian operations in Jamaica.
Five days after the most powerful storm in Jamaica’s history made landfall in the west, many residents remain cut off from assistance, with several roads inaccessible and entire communities without electricity or running water. The Government confirmed on Saturday that the death toll had risen to at least 28.
Dennis Zulu, the UN’s top representative in Jamaica, said around 13 UN agencies were working alongside national authorities to clear roads and carry out emergency repairs. “My team here remains committed to ensure that Jamaica gets back on its feet,” he said.
The UN’s children fund (UNICEF) reported that more than 700 000 children across the Caribbean have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, which also struck Cuba and western Haiti. The agency is supporting the Jamaican Government to reach over 284 000 children with nutrition assistance, safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as mental health support.
In Haiti, UNICEF is deploying hygiene and emergency health kits, cash support for vulnerable households and community engagement initiatives. In Cuba, UNICEF and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have delivered supplies for more than 90 000 people affected by the storm.
“International solidarity isn’t just a principle, it’s a lifeline,” said UN relief Chief Tom Fletcher.
OCHA has deployed a team to Jamaica to strengthen coordination and information management, while UN agencies and NGOs continue restoring access, delivering emergency health and water services, and supporting communities whose homes, schools and hospitals were destroyed.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
