The UK has expanded its emergency response to Hurricane Melissa to £7.5m after an initial £2.5m package on 29 October was followed by a further £5m on 31 October. The uplift funds more than 3,000 emergency shelter kits and 1,500 solar lanterns, and introduces a government match of public donations up to £1m to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ appeal for Jamaica. British nationals are being advised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to register their presence on the island.
Relief flights have been permitted into Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport since 29 October, but distribution remains constrained by debris-strewn roads, landslides and power outages. Red Cross assessments indicate more than three quarters of the population has been without electricity and around 6,000 people have been in emergency shelters; subsequent government briefings cited roughly 72% still without power and more than 13,000 sheltering as of 31 October. Figures are being updated as access improves.
Health services are operating under significant strain. Jamaica’s Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton confirmed major damage at several hospitals, with Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth the worst affected and services being relocated to other facilities. Maintaining accident and emergency capacity has been set as the immediate priority, with fuel and daily water supply arrangements in place to stabilise operations.
The UK has chartered flights to supplement commercial capacity for those unable to leave Jamaica. Seats will be offered at standard commercial rates with priority for vulnerable passengers, including people with medical needs and children. Eligibility extends to British nationals, their immediate family members and Windrush-generation residents with indefinite leave to remain. The FCDO stresses that people should register online and not travel to the airport unless contacted. Initial departures from Kingston are expected to begin today, Saturday 1 November, subject to operational approvals.
The aid pipeline draws on pre‑positioned UK supplies in Antigua and coordination with UN agencies and NGOs. Reuters reports UK shelter, water and hygiene items staged for rapid deployment; UNICEF has allocated US$1m for immediate assistance to children and families; and the International Organization for Migration has moved priority items such as generators, shelter repair kits and hygiene supplies. The UN has also initiated air and sea‑lift operations to reach hard‑to‑access areas.
Ministers in Kingston say isolated communities remain difficult to reach, particularly in the west and south‑west where bridges, telecoms and roads were heavily affected. Officials have cautioned that some areas are still without communications, which is complicating needs assessments and prolonging restoration of core services.
Casualty estimates across the region are evolving. As of 1 November, the Associated Press reported at least 19 deaths in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti, with damage assessments ongoing and the possibility of higher totals as responders reach remote districts. Cuba reported extensive damage after evacuating more than 700,000 people ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Airport operations are reopening in phases. Norman Manley International has been handling relief movements since 29 October, with commercial schedules rebuilding gradually. Virgin Atlantic has told customers it expects to operate initial departures from Kingston from 1 November, subject to permits, and is directing affected travellers to register their details for rebooking. Passengers should continue to confirm status with their airline or tour operator.
A proportion of UK funding is earmarked to match public donations, pound‑for‑pound up to £1m, to the IFRC appeal supporting Jamaica. This mechanism directs additional money through the Red Cross Movement to scale shelter, health and water interventions, with Jamaica Red Cross and IFRC teams already active nationwide.
For policy and practical steps, the FCDO advises: register your presence, follow local authority guidance, and use commercial routes where available before seeking a seat on chartered services. For those wishing to contribute, the government’s guidance is to donate cash to recognised organisations rather than shipping goods, to keep supply chains clear and responsive.