UN Resident Co-ordinator in Jamaica, Dennis Zulu, said on Wednesday that preliminary damage assessments showed “tremendous and unprecedented destruction of infrastructure,” affecting every part of the country.
“I don’t think there’s any single soul on this island that was not affected by Hurricane Melissa,” he said, adding that the months-long reconstruction effort ahead would require “a lot of resources” to rebuild communities and restore the island’s economy.
Zulu said the UN is working closely with the Jamaican Government, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, and other regional partners to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.
UN World Food Programme (WFP) Director for the Caribbean Multi-Country Office, Brian Bogart, described the situation as a “terrible tragedy,” noting that there is “a real sense of urgency” on the ground.
“Our focus now is getting food and logistics support to enable the humanitarian community to respond in coordination with the government,” Bogart said. The WFP has prepared 2 000 emergency food boxes in Barbados, enough to support 6 000 people for a week, ready to be airlifted once airports reopen.
A WFP vessel is also being loaded in Barbados with essentials, including hygiene kits, shelter materials, generators, and other supplies from UN agencies and partners to bolster humanitarian operations in Jamaica.
Early Wednesday morning, Hurricane Melissa crossed into Cuba with winds reaching 193km/h and heavy rainfall. Although it weakened to a category 2 storm, the National Hurricane Centre warned that it would “remain a powerful hurricane” as it moved towards The Bahamas and Bermuda.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the storm underscored the urgency of addressing climate change, calling it “yet another demonstration of climate science and why we must fight for a world at 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences to the victims and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to assist affected nations.
“The UN is working hand in hand with authorities and humanitarian partners to assess needs, assist those impacted, and prepare for the storm’s continuing impact,” he said.
–Channel Africa News–
