China has pledged to provide a US$2 million direct cash assistance to Jamaica, followed by disaster relief materials and a medical team to aid the island’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.

China said it is confident that the Jamaican people “will prevail over the disaster and build back their communities at an early date”.

The Category 5 storm swept through the western section of the island on Tuesday, October 28, leaving a wake of destruction and a confirmed 32 deaths so far.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness in a statement to Parliament this week that preliminary estimates from the hurricane damage are between US$6 billion and US$7 billion.

China said it was shocked to learn of the devastation and the casualties caused by Hurricane Melissa.

On behalf of the government and people of China, President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent messages of condolence to Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, Holness and Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith on November 3.

The Chinese leaders extend deep condolences to the victims and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, the injured and people in the affected areas.

China said it always stands with Jamaica and will do what it can to provide disaster relief assistance based on Jamaica’s needs.