Jamaica Expresses Gratitude For Outpouring Of Support In Aftermath Of Hurricane Melissa

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says Jamaica is deeply grateful for the support and solidarity from the international community in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

She expressed gratitude to all the friends and partners who continue to assist the country to recover and rebuild.

“In times of crisis, no country can stand alone. We are thankful to our international friends and partners for their commitment, compassion, and willingness to stand with us. Their support has not only assisted in the relief effort but will continue to be critical to the rebuilding of infrastructure and restoration of essential services,” she said, in a statement in the Upper House on Friday (Dec. 19).

The Minister pointed out that every gesture of support reflects the strength of shared friendships and the enduring value of bilateral, regional and international cooperation.

“They also reaffirm our confidence in the power of unity and collective action. I reiterate our deepest gratitude to all our partners including our particularly special Diaspora family – working with us to bring hope, comfort, and life-saving assistance to our people. Their spirit of solidarity has given renewed meaning to diplomacy, restoring faith in humanity and inspiring Jamaica to press forward with confidence toward a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous and resilient future,” she said.

She cited contribution from Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Guyana, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Venezuela, Canada, United States of America, European Union, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, China, India, Japan, Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Israel, and New Zealand.

As it relates to multinational support, the Minister expressed gratitude to the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, which have pivoted in their programming to respond to the needs, in particular the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO).

She noted that, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, PAHO and UNICEF continue to support mobile clinics and pharmacy services, mental health and psychosocial care, and the distribution of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) kits and medical supplies to shelters and communities.

“We are also grateful to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the EU’s civil protection and international partnership mechanisms, and the International Federation of the Red Cross, among others,” she stated.

Senator Johnson Smith said that the membership of several international organisations such as the OAS and the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), have taken action to adopt decisions or resolutions, which demonstrate their support for Jamaica, and request Member States to provide assistance.

Senator Johnson Smith further expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Jamaican Diaspora and from friends of the country all over the world, and the many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are actively operating on the ground or have provided donations.

She informed that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) database has on record, well over 100 external NGOs operating in the relief landscape, many with a long history of expertise in disaster response and management.

Private sector organisations in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have collaborated with their respective governments to provide relief supplies to Jamaica.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said that the country will continue to leverage its resilience as a people, and the support of its friends and partners in the international community to build back better and stronger.

Locally, the Minister commended the private sector companies, individuals and groups, including faith-based organisations that immediately mobilised aid for the affected communities, complementing the Government’s efforts through the various ministries, departments and agencies.

She also hailed the work of the Foreign Ministry team and missions.

Senator Johnson Smith extended sympathies to the families of the 45 persons whose lives were lost and those who are still missing, and to the governments and families around the world, who have lost loved ones due to tropical cyclones this year. The Senate observed a minute of silence as a mark of respect.

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever, and the first Category 5 hurricane in recorded history to hit Jamaica directly, made landfall in the island.

It caused widespread and severe damage across the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann and Manchester.