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FIRST ON FOX: U.S. State Department teams are set to arrive in the Caribbean as early as Thursday to assist with disaster recovery after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica on Tuesday.
The State Department confirmed the activation of a regional disaster assistance response team, known as DART. This unit will work alongside urban search and rescue teams to bolster efforts in the affected regions following the hurricane’s impact.
A senior official from the State Department informed Fox News Digital that teams are expected to land in Jamaica by Thursday. The airport has sustained minimal damage, but contingency plans are in place to coordinate military airlift support if commercial airlines cannot provide the necessary transport.
In addition, the State Department has requested that the Department of Defense facilitate airlift operations to deliver vital supplies, including food and water, to the island’s residents in urgent need.
Hurricane Fallout Affects Multiple Caribbean Nations
Another disaster assistance team is poised to assist Haiti later on Thursday. The Bahamas is also anticipated to file a humanitarian need declaration, which would enable the State Department to deploy a similar assistance response team there as early as Friday, according to the same official.
Furthermore, nearly $1 million has been allocated by the State Department to allocate food and additional resources. This funding will draw from pre-established inventories located in 12 warehouses spread across the region. These include six specialized locations in Haiti, one in the Dominican Republic, another in Barbados, and one based in Miami.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized the importance of the resources being mobilized to support American citizens in the area. He stated that disaster assistance teams will strategically coordinate U.S. support efforts on the ground.
Hurricane Melissa: A Historic Storm
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica with fierce intensity as a Category 5 hurricane, marking it the most powerful storm to strike Kingston in 174 years of record-keeping. As of now, reports indicate at least one confirmed fatality linked to the hurricane’s destruction.
The impact on infrastructure has been severe, with an estimated 77% of the island’s population left without electricity, according to Jamaica’s education minister, Dana Morris Dixon. This disruption has heightened the urgency of the relief efforts.
Moreover, over 25,000 individuals in Jamaica have sought refuge in shelters, as their homes were either damaged or completely destroyed during the storm. The local government and recovery organizations face significant challenges ahead as they begin the arduous task of rebuilding.
Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, expressed optimism but also acknowledged the difficult road ahead for Jamaica in the aftermath of this catastrophic event.
The Path Ahead Amid Ongoing Threats
As Hurricane Melissa moves towards Cuba, now downgraded to a Category 2 storm, additional Caribbean nations, including the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos, are bracing for further fallout.
These countries are on high alert as predictions indicate they may experience strong winds and heavy rainfall resulting from the storm’s remnants. Local authorities have begun preparing for potential evacuations and preemptive measures to mitigate the storm’s impact.
The international community is also tuning in closely to support the regions affected by Hurricane Melissa. Many organizations are working collaboratively with the U.S. government and local bodies to ensure effective distribution of aid.
As efforts ramp up, coordination between governments and aid agencies will be vital to address immediate needs and lay the groundwork for future recovery.
In conclusion, while the immediate focus remains on providing urgent relief, the long-term rebuilding and recovery will require sustained international support and comprehensive planning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
