The Canadian Member of Parliament responsible for foreign aid has declared a $7 million humanitarian relief package for Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, revealed that $5 million would be allocated for critical assistance provided by emergency response organizations and healthcare providers. The remaining $2 million will be directed to the United Nations World Food Program to bolster its operations in distributing food and essential supplies to Jamaica.
Sarai affirmed that Canada stands ready to dispatch relief provisions from its emergency reserves through the Red Cross if requested by the affected countries. He emphasized that while focusing on immediate requirements, Ottawa is committed to supporting the Caribbean in the subsequent phases of recovery following the devastating Category 5 storm, which has claimed numerous lives in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
Furthermore, Ottawa has previously funded initiatives aimed at aiding nations like Jamaica in preparing for and managing natural calamities through emergency preparedness and logistical support. Canada is also actively engaged in advocating for reforms within global institutions to enable Caribbean nations to finance climate-resilient infrastructure.
The government’s announcement of $7 million in aid for hurricane-stricken countries was made during a press briefing by Randeep Sarai, the parliamentary secretary for international development, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand. Sarai expressed solidarity with the Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa and emphasized Canada’s commitment to providing support during this challenging period.