The Government of St Kitts and Nevis is the latest in a regional wave of solidarity among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries, mobilising support and humanitarian aid for Jamaica following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The Dr Terrance Drew-led administration on Sunday (November 2) announced a US$100,000 donation to the Jamaican government, which it said reflected a deep sense of compassion.

“The Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis stand firmly with Jamaica during this challenging time,” said Drew. “This financial support is a symbol of our shared resilience and commitment to one another as a Caribbean family.”

Hurricane Melissa slammed Jamaica’s southwestern as a powerful category five storm, the strongest cyclone on the planet this year, inducing widespread infrastructural damage, flooding and resulting in 28 deaths to date.

Drew also extended an invitation to individuals, private organisations, and businesses across St. Kitts and Nevis who may wish to partner with the government in further assisting Jamaica as it works to rebuild communities and restore normalcy.

The donation is just one of a string of outreach missions launched by regional neighbours in and out of the CARICOM bloc.

Just yesterday, Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele confirmed that the first plane with hurricane relief and military volunteers arrived in the Jamaican capital, Kingston. He explained that there will be three aircraft, which will deliver 300 rescuers and 50 tons of humanitarian aid.

Last Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar led a contingent of government officials at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate as the twin-island republic dispatched eight shipping containers of humanitarian relief and supplies.

Sanction-hit Venezuela sent a plane with over “10,250 kilograms of food, 2,500 mattresses and 9,000 medical items”, which landed in Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport on October 30.

The Gustavo Petro government, through the Colombian Navy, commenced the dispatch of 22 tons of humanitarian relief on November 1.

Two naval vessels are being coordinated for departure, with assistance comprising 1,100 food kits, 1,100 personal hygiene kits, 2,800 bed sheet sets and 2,800 mosquito nets.

Supplies are travelling on board JDF Coast Guard vessels that took shelter in Cartagena during the passage of the hurricane.