India Sends 40 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Jamaica and Cuba Following Hurricane Melissa
India dispatched 20 tonnes each of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief materials to Jamaica and Cuba to aid recovery after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive devastation in the Caribbean. The aid includes medical equipment, food, shelter materials, and power generators. This move reflects India’s solidarity with its Global South partners amid the natural disaster’s impact.
In response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, India has sent a total of 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Jamaica and Cuba, with 20 tonnes allocated to each country. The aid, transported via an Indian Air Force aircraft from New Delhi, comprises Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube field hospitals, medical equipment, medicines, food, daily utilities, power generators, shelter materials, hygiene kits, and rehabilitation support items. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to stand with Global South nations in natural disasters and support recovery and reconstruction efforts. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 storm causing severe damage including widespread power outages and infrastructure destruction. It then impacted Cuba on October 29 as a Category 3 hurricane, inflicting significant flooding, damage to homes, and isolating many communities. The UN and other international agencies are also actively engaged in emergency response efforts in the affected Caribbean nations. India's assistance fits within its broader humanitarian outreach based on the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam philosophy, aiming for timely and effective aid to countries hit by climate-induced disasters.
