Jamaica is receiving humanitarian aid following extensive damage caused by hurricane Melissa.
The category 5 hurricane battered the island on Tuesday, destroying infrastructure, causing significant flooding and claiming 4 lives, before bringing damage to other parts of the Caribbean.
Jamaica’s government had appealed for international assistance in the island’s recovery efforts.
According to Miami Herald, United States President Donald Trump has pledged that his country will assist Caribbean Nations affected by Melissa on a “humanitarian basis”.
The United Nations has also pledged assistance.
The BBC reports that the UN’s migration agency (IOM) says it is shipping supplies from Barbados to Jamaica.
It said it will deliver emergency shelter, non-food items and hope.
In a post on X yesterday, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that relief supplies are arriving in the island.
He said the Norman Manley International Airport, NMIA in Kingston was reopened at 4:00 p.m. yesterday for relief supplies.
The minister added that American Airlines will resume flights at the NMIA today.
He said 4 flights have been scheduled so far, with 3 bringing customers and bags and 1 bringing relief supplies.
Operator of the NMIA, Packal noted that the reopening follows the airport’s post-hurricane assessment and restoration activities.
It said all critical infrastructure including runway, buildings, passenger loading bridges, security infrastructure and other equipment have been thoroughly inspected and cleared for commercial aircraft operations and passenger handling.
Meantime, Mr. Vaz said Jamaica’s other international airports will reopen today.
The Ian Flemming Airport in St. Mary will resume commercial flights at 7:00 a.m., while the Sangster International Airport, SIA in Montego Bay, St. James will open to relief flights at 10:00 a.m.
The resumption of commercial flights at the SIA will be announced following the completion of assessments.
