After the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, the island of Jamaica is in a state of emergency. At least 19 people have lost their lives, while the rest of the population struggles with the natural disaster that struck areas such as Saint Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Saint James with winds of around 200 kilometers per hour.
In response to the tragedy, the government announced the imminent arrival of at least 20 aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid, along with United States helicopters already operating to transport victims and supplies to completely isolated communities.
The first flights have already delivered medicine, drinking water, food, blankets, and hygiene kits to thousands of affected residents. Meanwhile, the top priority is to reopen blocked roads and ensure access to hospitals that suffered severe damage.
What was most urgently needed on the island after the disaster?
Primarily, the previously mentioned essentials, ready-to-eat food, clean water, medicine, and rapid assistance to enable evacuation and restore basic services in isolated areas. With these resources deployed, authorities and international organizations are working to prevent an even greater crisis in the country.
