US Provides Additional ‘Life-Saving Assistance’ For Hurricane Victims in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States government says it is providing nearly US$12.6 million in additional emergency, “life-saving assistance” to Jamaica and Haiti as the countries recover from the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane damage in the Caribbean (File Photo)The US Department of State said in a statement that the latest aid is “part of the ongoing support in our region in the wake of Hurricane Melissa”.

It said that, in Jamaica, the additional funding will help implementers to clear debris, restore access to hard-to-reach areas, and provide shelter, emergency healthcare, child protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, and food assistance.

In Haiti, the additional US$2.5 million will support “similar life-saving efforts for those affected by the hurricane’s devastation.”

With this additional support, the State Department said the United States has provided nearly US$37 million to date in emergency, life-saving assistance and on-the-ground support throughout the region in response to Hurricane Melissa, including over US$22 million to Jamaica, US$11 million for Haiti, three million dollars for Cuba, and US$500,000 for The Bahamas.

“This funding has enabled critical efforts by our Disaster Assistance Recovery Team (DART) and search-and-rescue teams from Los Angeles and Fairfax Counties to assist communities in need,” the State Department said.

“The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to helping our neighbors recover from this disaster and will continue to explore additional ways to provide meaningful assistance during this critical time,” it added.

Last Tuesday,  the Trump administration said it was providing an initial US$24 million in “emergency, life-saving assistance” for Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas, and “the people of Cuba” to assist those affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The aid came Schumer, the US Senate Minority Leader, said he had sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that “officials in the Caribbean have reported early assessments of damage to be widespread, where homes and buildings have collapsed, roadways have been demolished, parishes are completely underwater and currently 77 per cent of Jamaica remains without power.”