UK Begins Evacuation of Nationals from Jamaica Amid Hurricane Melissa Aftermath

Sun Nov 02 2025 06:06:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government is organizing evacuations for British nationals in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc, with a chartered flight scheduled to depart soon. Meanwhile, a significant aid effort is underway as the region grapples with the devastating impacts of the storm.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which has caused widespread destruction across Jamaica, the UK government has arranged for the evacuation of British nationals via a chartered flight. The hurricane has resulted in significant loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure, prompting the UK to mobilize a £7.5 million emergency aid package to support affected regions and respond to urgent humanitarian needs.

A chartered flight from the UK government is set to depart Jamaica on Saturday, evacuating British nationals from the country in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

The flight, set to leave from Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport, comes after the UK flew aid in earlier in the day as part of a £7.5 million regional emergency package.

Some of the funding will be used to match public donations up to £1 million to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent—with King Charles and Queen Camilla among those who have donated.

Despite aid arriving in Jamaica in recent days, blocked roads have complicated distribution after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of the island, killing at least 19 people.

The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a category five storm and was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the Caribbean.

Melissa swept across the region over a number of days, leaving behind a trail of destruction and dozens of casualties. In Haiti, at least 30 people were reported dead, with Cuba also facing flooding and landslides.

Jamaica's Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon noted, there are entire communities that seem to be marooned, and areas that seem to be flattened. Around 8,000 British nationals were thought to be on the island when the hurricane struck.

The UK Foreign Office has urged citizens in Jamaica to register their presence and advised travelers to contact their airlines to check for available commercial options.

The UK initially set aside a £2.5 million immediate financial support package for the region, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Friday.

Cooper indicated the announcement stemmed from the emerging scale of devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, which has caused significant damage to homes, blocked roads, and resulted in loss of lives.

The Red Cross stated that the donation from the King and Queen would aid the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) to continue its lifesaving work, including search and rescue efforts in Jamaica, and assistance in access to healthcare, safe shelter, and clean water.

Currently, 72% of people across Jamaica remain without electricity, and approximately 6,000 individuals are in emergency shelters. As the government seeks to restore the damaged electricity grid, aid agencies have been distributing generators, tarpaulins, and essential supplies to address the humanitarian crisis.

Reports indicate mounting tension among the populace, with residents expressing frustration over food shortages and long lines at petrol stations as they wait for fuel necessary for generators and transport.

Moreover, Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica's health minister, described significant damage to hospitals, particularly the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth, which may require complete service relocation.

While aid is trickling into the region, landslides and fallen infrastructures pose challenges to effective distribution. Global Empowerment Mission has begun delivering humanitarian assistance to the worst-hit areas, with more help expected from various organizations and foreign governments.