IN a pledge of continued partnership with Jamaica and the Caribbean region at large, the European Union (EU) has announced an additional EUR 1.25 million in humanitarian aid to support ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The funds, declared by European Union commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management Hadja Lahbib, are set to strengthen the non-profit organisation Red Cross’ disaster relief response in both Jamaica and Cuba.

“I am pleased to announce an additional EUR 1.25 million to support the Red Cross response in Cuba and Jamaica and this includes funding to combat the outbreak of other viruses in Cuba, in areas hit by hurricanes,” said Lahbib, speaking at a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday.

The pledge builds on an already mobilised EUR 5 million in emergency funding by the union, with two million being dedicated to Jamaica and the remainder shared between Cuba and Haiti which were also severely swept by the Category 5 storm.

“This support includes clean water and sanitation kits, shelter, emergency equipment, tools, protective gear and even a fully equipped emergency medical team with a field hospital established in Falmouth and to the most affected areas, and to help assess the damage and guide response effort,” Lahbib said.

“The EU has also mobilised five million euros in emergency funding to meet the most urgent needs. And this includes two million euros for Jamaica, two million for Cuba and one million for Haiti to help families rebuild physical basic services and recover their livelihoods.”

She added that recovery aid also included the EU’s Copernicus satellite system which produces detailed maps helping to identify the worst-hit areas of the islands.

The commissioner expressed sympathy to the Jamaican people and neighbouring Caribbean nations, praising the Government’s “remarkable resilience and leadership” in coordinating relief efforts. She also noted the rapid mobilisation of support from six EU member states — France, Luxembourg, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands — who she said eagerly responded to help their Caribbean allies.

“This is European solidarity at its best — friends standing together when it matters most. We will keep working side by side with authorities, with EU ministers, with EU member states and all humanitarian partners on the ground to make sure every family gets the help they need and no one is left behind,” she said.

As recovery transitions from emergency relief to rebuilding, the commissioner reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment: “No storm, no hurricane, no disaster can break apart the solidarity between the European Union and the Caribbean.”

Hadja Lahbib (left), European Union (EU) Commissioner for Humanitarian and Crisis Management; Audrey Marks (centre), Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation; and Dr Erja Askola, EU ambassador to Jamaica, briefing the media Sunday about additional relief aid being provided by the EU. (Karl Mclarty)