Government Receives Ethiopian Delegation on Hurricane Recovery Assistance Mission

The Government of Jamaica on Thursday received a high-level delegation from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which was dispatched to the island to explore areas where Ethiopia may assist Jamaica’s recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The Ethiopian delegation was led by State Minister His Excellency Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

The delegation was received at Jamaica House by State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Abka Fitz-Henley.

Minister Fitz-Henley commended Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for seeking to assist Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

“It was good to receive and host Ethiopia’s State Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, in a meeting today where we discussed Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica. Jamaica welcomes the decision by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia to send a delegation to Jamaica with a view to assisting our recovery from the impact of Melissa,” Minister Fitz-Henley said.

Minister Fitz-Henley noted that both Jamaica and Ethiopia share a rich history, which includes ancestry, cultural heritage and a strong partnership.

The State Minister commented that he has no doubt the partnership between Jamaica and Ethiopia will become even stronger in the weeks, months and years to come.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Rocky Meade, and Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, also participated in the meeting with the Ethiopian delegation.

Ambassador Tsegaye toured St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland yesterday (December 4, 2025) to get a first-hand look at the damage caused by Melissa and recovery efforts.

Ambassador Tsegaye also met with State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, at the Ministry’s Dominica Drive Head Office prior to his tour of areas in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa.