Hurricane Melissa kills 49 in Jamaica and Haiti - thousands displaced

The King and Queen (Aaron Chown/PA) Aaron Chown

Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica and Haiti this week, leaving at least 19 people dead in Jamaica and at least 30 in Haiti. The Category 5 storm struck with winds reaching 185mph, flattening homes and cutting off communities across the Caribbean.

Thousands of Jamaicans remain in shelters without power or access to basic necessities. Looting broke out in several areas as desperate residents faced severe shortages of food and water. One resident told the BBC: "chaos, chaos. Total. No food. No water." Another told the BBC about taking supplies from destroyed shops, saying: "We have to use whatever we see here, on the street and also in the supermarket."

Aid Efforts Intensify

King Charles and Queen Camilla donated to the Red Cross humanitarian appeal supporting relief efforts across affected regions. Beatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, said in a statement: "King Charles and Queen Camilla's donation will help the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) network continue its lifesaving work, particularly in Jamaica, such as through search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies."

The UK announced £7.5 million in humanitarian support. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government was increasing its funding for humanitarian support to get shelter kits, solar lamps and sanitation products to those who need it most.

The United States is sending eight to ten helicopters to Jamaica capable of transferring patients.

Evacuation and Recovery

A charter flight will depart Saturday to evacuate British nationals, with around 8,000 British nationals on the island. Kingston's international airport reopened Thursday and received 13 cargo relief flights, with authorities expecting at least 20 more Friday.

Jamaica's Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon warned the death toll would likely rise, calling the devastation in the west "unimaginable." Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz assured residents: "You probably are feeling that you are forgotten. You are not forgotten."

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).