A complete of 28 individuals have died following Hurricane Melissa’s rampage throughout Jamaica, the federal government has confirmed.
Melissa, one of many strongest storms on report to make landfall within the Caribbean, introduced with it winds of as much as 185mph when it hit the island earlier this week.
The Pink Cross described it as a “catastrophe of unprecedented disaster”.
Melissa ravaged by Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
It weakened by the point it reached Cuba on Wednesday morning however nonetheless introduced devastation – with homes collapsed and roads blocked.
A press release from the federal government of Jamaica mentioned it was “deeply saddened to verify 28 fatalities related to the passage of Hurricane Melissa”.
It went on: “We prolong heartfelt condolences to the households, associates, and communities mourning their family members.”
Eyewitness: ‘Send help’ – the desperate pleas from Hurricane Melissa survivors
The affirmation got here because the first British repatriation flight was setting off from the island on Saturday night native time.
Hearken to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim each Wednesday
The flight, chartered by the International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace, was for these “unable to depart Jamaica on business routes”.
Important aid provides at the moment are rolling into a number of the hardest hit areas.
Humanitarian assist has arrived and is ready to be distributed. Pic: AP
The UK authorities is mobilising an extra ÂŁ5m in emergency humanitarian funding – on high of ÂŁ2.5m introduced earlier this week – to help the area’s restoration.
This new funding will allow the UK to ship humanitarian provides – together with greater than 3,000 shelter kits and over 1,500 solar-powered lanterns to assist these whose properties have been broken and people with out energy.
Learn extra:
Before and after images show hurricane’s destruction
Do we need new ‘category 6’ for most extreme storms?
Jamaica victims left shell-shocked
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