PM Mottley offers support as Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has extended Barbados’ solidarity and support to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa, which battered the island on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Mottley said Barbados stands ready to assist Jamaica as it begins recovery efforts after the powerful storm ravaged central and western parishes.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Jamaica as they face Hurricane Melissa. PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Barbados stands ready to assist. We are One Caribbean and we will get through this together,” she wrote.
Mottley also expressed concern for other regional neighbours in the storm’s path.

“We also keep in our prayers all other Caribbean countries that are likely to be affected,” she added, later extending thoughts to Cuba, The Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, which have also felt the storm’s impact.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 system, made landfall on Jamaica’s south coast on Tuesday, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rains that tore roofs from homes, flooded communities, and triggered landslides across St Elizabeth, Manchester, and Westmoreland.

Several government properties including hospitals, schools and police stations were also greatly impacted. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has since declared the entire island a disaster area.

Regional officials have described Melissa as Jamaica’s most powerful hurricane in decades, with widespread damage to infrastructure, power lines, and crops.
As the system continues to move northwest toward Cuba and The Bahamas, Mottley reaffirmed Barbados’ commitment to regional unity and assistance under the banner of One Caribbean.