Half of Jamaica’s Population Affected by Hurricane Melissa
More than 1.5 million Jamaicans have been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Many have lost their homes and sources of income as the hurricane caused widespread destruction.
Infrastructure and Services Disrupted
- Over 130 roads are blocked.
- Power and communication networks are down or unstable.
- Health services are heavily strained, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Food Assistance Needs
“Up to 360,000 people may require food assistance”
stressed the World Food Programme (WFP). Some western parishes in Jamaica remain difficult to access due to debris and fuel shortages, OCHA reported.
Relief Efforts Underway
Brian Bogart, Country Director for WFP's Multi-Country Caribbean Office, briefing journalists from New York via video link, explained that WFP has been working tirelessly.
“The Jamaican people are resilient, but they need urgent support to maintain that resilience.”
He emphasized that the most pressing needs include food, water, shelter, and medicine for the hardest-hit communities.
Recent Aid Arrivals and Future Plans
- French and Dutch navy vessels carrying relief supplies have recently docked in Kingston’s harbour.
- WFP plans to assist up to 200,000 people nationwide through food aid and cash transfers.
- This support is crucial as Jamaica transitions from immediate emergency relief to longer-term recovery efforts.
Summary: Hurricane Melissa has devastated half of Jamaica’s population, prompting urgent food, shelter, and medical aid as the country shifts from crisis response to recovery.
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