Canada’s foreign aid overseer revealed a $7 million humanitarian relief package for Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, allocated $5 million for urgent assistance from emergency response agencies and healthcare providers. Another $2 million will be channeled to the United Nations World Food Program to aid in the distribution of food and essential supplies in Jamaica.
Sarai emphasized Canada’s readiness to dispatch relief items from its emergency reserves through the Red Cross upon request from affected countries. The focus is on addressing immediate needs while also planning for the Caribbean’s recovery following the devastation caused by the Category 5 hurricane, which resulted in numerous casualties in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
Furthermore, Ottawa has supported initiatives aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and logistics in countries like Jamaica. Canada is also actively involved in advocating for reforms within global institutions to enable Caribbean nations to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
The aid announcement was accompanied by a video presentation featuring Randeep Sarai, the parliamentary secretary for international development, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, underlining the commitment of Canada to stand in solidarity with the Caribbean during this challenging time.