US Pledges Long-Term Support for Jamaica’s Hurricane Recovery

The United States Government has pledged long-term support to Jamaica as the nation undertakes critical recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom at the US Department of State, Jeremy Lewin, outlined the range of support already extended to Jamaica.

This includes the deployment of a substantial disaster response team and specialised search and rescue units, which have played a vital role in reaching hard-to-access areas and assisting affected communities.

Additional support has been channelled through the World Food Programme and Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, working in partnership with local organisations.

“We also brought in significant military Department of War assets… so we were able to bring in heavy-lift helicopters. So far, and counting, the helicopters have delivered more than half a million pounds of lifesaving assistance,” Mr. Lewin stated.

He made the remarks on Monday (November 10), during a tour of the Emergency Field Hospital located at Black River High School in St. Elizabeth. The facility is operated by the US-based evangelical Christian humanitarian organisation, Samaritan’s Purse.

Mr. Lewin affirmed that the United States remains committed to supporting Jamaica and will continue to provide assistance as additional needs arise.

“As President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [of State, Marco] Rubio have said, we want to make sure that our partners – Jamaica has been a strong partner for a long time – understand the United States will stand with them, not just for the first week, not just for the first day but for the months to come as well,” the Under Secretary pledged.

Acknowledging the “heartbreaking” devastation across western and central parishes, Mr. Lewin offered words of encouragement to those who lost homes and livelihoods, affirming that “Jamaica will bounce back… if we work together; Jamaica will be back on its feet again”.

He also extended heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones during the category-five hurricane.

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, who accompanied the senior US official on the tour, expressed their gratitude to the United States for its continued partnership and support.

“I’m happy to hear that the US has said that they will be here for the weeks and months to come, because it will take weeks and months before we even get a hold on what’s happening here in Jamaica, on the ground,” said Minister Vaz, who also noted that relief supplies have begun arriving by sea.

He expressed hope that the level of relief mobilised in Black River could be replicated across other townships and progressively extended to isolated communities still facing access challenges.

Relief efforts have included the establishment of a field hospital, distribution of food packages through a partnership between the World Food Programme and Food for the Poor, and the installation of a water filtration station by Samaritan’s Purse, providing residents with access to clean drinking water.

Meanwhile, Minister Green commended the vital partnerships between international and local entities that have, so far, facilitated the delivery of crucial support to affected communities.

He noted that thousands have been severely affected by the hurricane, and emphasised that sustained support and strategic partnerships are essential to Jamaica’s rebuilding efforts.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but there is significant hope that with friends like the United States, we will get it done. So, thank you all, and on behalf of the people of Jamaica, we appreciate the support,” Mr. Green stated.