UK MPs push for extra aid and visas as Jamaica reels from Hurricane Melissa

Dawn Butler leads calls for humanitarian visas and fee waivers for vulnerable relatives of UK nationals affected by storm

British MPs have joined campaigners calling for more aid and humanitarian visas for Jamaicans to enter the UK after Hurricane Melissa demolished parts of the country, plunging hundreds of thousands of people into a humanitarian crisis.

The UK has pledged £7.5m emergency funds to Jamaica and other islands affected by the hurricane, but many argue that the country has a moral obligation to do more for former Caribbean colonies.

Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent East and chair of the UK’s all-party parliamentary group on Jamaica, posted on X a letter she had written to the home secretary requesting temporary humanitarian visas and fee waivers for vulnerable relatives of UK nationals affected by the storm.

Butler said that at an emergency meeting in her constituency, which has one of the UK’s largest Jamaican populations, there were calls to ease visa restrictions for children and elderly people affected by the hurricane who could stay with relatives in the UK.

“The UK has a long and enduring relationship with Jamaica and I am confident that, with compassion and collaboration, we can play a vital role in supporting those most in need during the difficult period,” the letter says.

Diane Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, supported Butler’s calls and said Jamaica needed long-term assistance.

“I think when the hurricane first hit, the immediate anxiety over here was to bring back the tourists. And once the tourists had come back, it kind of fell away from the public eye. And there was a sense as well that it was essentially a short-term project.

“People need to understand the gravity of the situation. And that it’s going to take a long time and a lot of resources to [rebuild] Black River and [other affected] districts,” she said.

According to recent reports, nearly 1 million of Jamaica’s roughly 2.8 million people were affected by the hurricane, and about 150,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. The prime minister, Andrew Holness, has estimated losses at about US$8bn (£6bn).

Pearnel Charles, Jamaica’s minister of labour and social security, said the government had been trying to get aid to the hundreds of thousands of people in need. It was also assessing the damage to homes as well as longer-term needs, including psychological support.

“Our social workers are consistently on the ground, and we continue to open up our hotlines to ensure that if we get that information we attend to it as quickly as possible,” he said.

This is an edited article from The Guardian.

Note from the Editor

The Jamaica High Commission has issued new guidance regarding supporting the hurricane appeal.

If you wish to donate goods, please follow the guidelines outlined in the attached document which is under the Government of Jamaica’s official initiative to mobilise assistance, coordinate relief, and streamline recovery efforts.

Click here to find out the list of goods required to support Jamaica.

The London and SE England drop off points have also changed:

THE VILLAGE , BAY 56, 4-6 ACKLAM ROAD, LADBROKE GROVE, NORTH KENSINGTON, LONDON W10 5TY (OFF PORTOBELLO ROAD)

DAYS FOR DROP OFF: MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS 1:00PM – 8:00P.M.; SATURDAYS 2:00P.M – 6:00P.M.; SUNDAYS 3:00P.M – 9:00P.M.

TEL: 0794 882 7781

JP LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS: 14 LAMSON ROAD, RAINHAM, ESSEX, RM13 9YY

DAYS FOR DROP OFF: MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS 9:00A.M – 4:30P.M.

PLEASE CALL AHEAD: 020 7476 0154

WI FREIGHT, HANSON YARD, BOTANY WAY, PURFLEET RM19 1SR

DAYS FOR DROP OFF: SATURDAYS 10:00 A.M – 5:00 P.M.

TEL: 0207 511 3353

Support ECA’s efforts to help those affected in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to hit the island. The hurricane severely damaged homes and infrastructure. We’ve surpassed our initial goal of £3,000 with £3,385 raised so far; now, let’s aim for £5,000. Though media coverage has faded, Jamaica continues to face hardship. To donate please go to our Appeal page.