EU pumps €2m into hurricane relief effort

Jamaica is set to receive €2 million in aid from the European Union (EU) as the country continues its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, which slammed into the western section of the island nearly two weeks ago.

Hadja Lahbib, EU commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, made the announcement during a media briefing on Sunday, shortly after meeting with Audrey Marks, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for efficiency, innovation and digital transformation.

Lahbib was on a two-day visit to the island to reaffirm the EU’s solidarity with Jamaica following the October 28 disaster, which left hundreds of communities devastated.

While commiserating with affected families across the island, Lahbib described the aid as European solidarity at its best.

“The EU has mobilised €5 million in emergency funding to meet the most urgent needs, and this includes €2 million for Jamaica, €2 million for Cuba, and €1 million for Haiti to help families rebuild, restore basic services and recover their livelihood.”

The commissioner also gave details of additional funding to the region:

“And also, today I am pleased to announce an additional €1.25 million to support the Red Cross response in Cuba and Jamaica. This includes funding to combat the outbreak of the Oropouche virus in Cuba in areas hit by the hurricane.”

Cuban media have reported that cases of the mosquito-borne virus now stand at over 4,000 and is of concern after the country was hit by Melissa as a Category 3 hurricane.

Lahbib said that during her two-day visit to Jamaica, she also met with EU partners who are bringing shelter, medical and essential supplies to those in need.

“Their courage and dedication shine a light of hope and I want to pay tribute to their extraordinary work, their compassion and their commitment to saving lives and reducing suffering.”

MELISSA’S IMPACT

There are a reported 75 deaths across Jamaica and the wider region as a result of Hurricane Melissa, with millions more picking up the pieces of their lives.

“The situation is, of course, very complex and many areas are still hard to reach, but our partners are doing their best to deliver aid. I want to express my deepest solidarity and sympathy with the people of Jamaica and with our neighbours also in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas, whose lives were torn apart by Hurricane Melissa. My heart goes out to all those who lost their loved ones, to the injured, and to everyone who lost homes and livelihoods. In just a few hours Melissa destroyed what many built over a lifetime. It was truly heartbreaking.”

At Sunday’s media briefing, Marks, who is also co-chair of the Government’s Private Sector Coordination Committee to Bolster Recovery, disclosed that the discussions with the EU delegation focused on ongoing humanitarian assistance and continued collaboration under national and Team Europe initiatives.

“The EU was on the scene very early. They are delivering support in the areas of greatest need - field hospitals, generators, logistical tracking systems and every type of supply that is needed by the most hard-hit communities in the parishes that are quite devastated. We expect to move from rescue and relief to rebuilding, and the partnership will continue throughout this process.”

Six EU member countries, France, Luxemburg, Spain, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, have already made concrete offers of assistance and support, which includes clean water and sanitation kits, shelter, emergency equipment, protective gear and emergency medical team with a field hospital.

The commissioner said the EU has also offered equipment to help assess the damage and guide response support, including a satellite system to produce detailed maps of the worst-hit areas in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.

The EU is also organising humanitarian outreach flights to deliver essential supplies to its partners on the front line, with emergency stocks to be released as needed.

karen.madden@gleanerjm.com