(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) KINGSTON, Jamaica - Canada is providing dedicated humanitarian assistance to support Jamaica's response and recovery efforts following the devastating impact of hurricane Melissa.

Randeep Sarai, secretary of state (International Development), announced CAD $7 million (approximately J$840 million) in humanitarian assistance to support emergency relief operations across the Caribbean.

CAD $5 million (approximately J$600 million) of this funding is dedicated to life-saving relief efforts in Jamaica through experienced humanitarian partners. This includes emergency food, clean water, sanitation and health services, and protection for vulnerable populations.

CAD $2 million (approximately J$240 million) has been allocated to the World Food Programme (WFP) and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency's (CDEMA) Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub, which has been dispatching food and relief supplies to Jamaica in coordination with national authorities.

A further CAD $1 million in emergency relief supplies from the Canadian Red Cross, including shelter materials and hygiene kits, have arrived in Kingston to be distributed in partnership with the Jamaican Red Cross.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected during these difficult times,” said secretary of state Randeep Sarai.“Canada's immediate priority is to help address urgent humanitarian needs in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. We will continue working with partners to support recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

Canada is also a key donor to multilateral humanitarian mechanisms, which have allocated funds to Jamaica in response to hurricane Melissa:

• US$ 4 million through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for Jamaica.
• CHF 80,000 allocated to the Jamaica Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), supported by Canada's $5 million annual contribution.
• US$ 281,690 from the World Food Programme's Immediate Response Account, to which Canada contributed $5 million, to strengthen hurricane preparedness across the region.

In addition to Canada's humanitarian assistance, at Jamaica's request, Canada activated the Canadian Armed Forces' Operational Support Hub (OSH) which currently has about 60 troops. This week, the OSH will begin providing accommodation, sanitation, and meals for regional disaster-response teams, allowing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to focus on rescue and recovery operations.

A four-member Canadian Disaster Assessment Team (CDAT) also deployed to Jamaica immediately after the hurricane to assess the impact on food security, health systems, shelter, and access to clean water to inform further additional support.

As well, Canada has donated drones and provided technical support to Jamaica's ministry of economic growth and job creation through the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP), in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada's Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, to enhance Jamaica's post-disaster monitoring and environmental assessment capacity.

“Canada's support is helping ensure that families in the hardest-hit communities receive the essentials they need, food, clean water, and emergency health care,” said His Excellency Mark Berman, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica.“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside Jamaica to build lasting resilience and security.”

In addition, Jamaica is expected to receive a record USD $91.9 million payout from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) under its tropical cyclone and rainfall policies. Canada, an early and major contributor to CCRIF, provided a further USD $100,000 top-up to Jamaica's 2025 tropical cyclone policy through its regional development programming, enabling a total expected payout of USD $1.91 million to be channelled through Jamaica's social protection systems to support affected individuals and households.

Regional preparedness and cooperation

Canada's support extends beyond emergency response to strengthening the region's long-term resilience to climate-related disasters. Through the Resilience and Enhanced Adaptability to Disasters in the Caribbean (READY project), Canada has helped Jamaica improve logistics and warehouse management systems, while also enhancing social protection frameworks for rapid emergency assistance.

Canada's Targeted Support to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has bolstered CDEMA's to coordinate regional relief efforts, manage emergency telecommunications, and deploy search and rescue teams. These efforts have directly contributed to the speed and coordination of the regional response following hurricane Melissa.

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