In the wake of hurricane Melissa, a regional mobilisation is underway to deliver emergency assistance to Jamaica. To contribute to these regional efforts led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the European Union, together with its member states France and the Netherlands, is working in close coordination UN agencies, Barbadian authorities and international partners, to ensure that life-saving supplies reach the communities most affected.The devastation caused by hurricane Melissa has left many in urgent need of food, water, and shelter. The response now unfolding reflects not only solidarity but also preparedness — the ability to act because measures were already in place before disaster struck.Through the regional logistics hub for humanitarian assistance in Barbados, led by CDEMA and the World Food Programme (WFP), essential relief supplies were pre-positioned in the region. This foresight has allowed partners to mobilise, ensuring help will arrive to those in need.Equally critical to the speed of delivery has been the readiness of France and the Netherlands. Earlier this week, following the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and a request from the government of Jamaica, the French Navy vessel Dumont d’Urville departed from the port of Bridgetown carrying emergency supplies for Jamaica. On Friday, the Dutch vessel Pelikaan will follow with additional relief items — complementing national and regional efforts across the response. The shipments include food, potable water, sanitary kits, shelter kits and water purification systems for the hardest-hit communities.GroceriesTo further strengthen coordination on the ground, the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service is producing satellite maps highlighting the most affected areas in the region, enabling humanitarian actors to target their relief operations more precisely.
The scale of destruction calls for unity and urgency,” said Fiona Ramsey, ambassador of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, and the OECS. “Thanks to the preparedness measures already in place and the swift cooperation of all partners, assistance will be reaching those who need it most. We are deeply grateful to our member states, France, and the Netherlands, as well as our partners CDEMA, the government of Barbados and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Canada, IOM, PAHO, the Red Cross movement, UK, UNICEF, WFP for the excellent cooperation. The tireless work of all makes this joint effort possible.
