This latest commitment brings the total financial support from the US Government to USD 22 million. The announcement was made by US Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, Jeremy Lewin, during a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, November 10. Holness expressed gratitude to the United States, noting that it was among the first international partners to offer support to Jamaica in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“That support was particularly invaluable, particularly in the logistics operations, which your helicopters would have augmented. We do have some airlift capacity in the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) but, certainly, none in comparison to the United States’ fleet. You made several of your heavy lift helicopters available to us, and that was crucial in our ability to reach several marooned communities,” he said. The Prime Minister shared that preliminary estimates place the damage caused by the hurricane at approximately US$68 billion, noting that assessments remain ongoing. He emphasised that Jamaica’s recovery will inevitably require sustained support from international partners. (Jamaica Gleaner)