The United States has increased its financial commitment to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa by adding 10 million dollars to its earlier pledge, raising the total American contribution to 22 million dollars. Under Secretary Jeremy Lewin announced the expanded support during a Monday meeting with Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Holness thanked Washington for deploying heavy-lift helicopters that enabled rescue teams to reach isolated communities, noting that the Jamaica Defense Force aircraft lacked comparable capacity. Initial damage assessments place losses near 68 billion dollars, though evaluations continue. The prime minister indicated that recovery depends significantly on international assistance and outlined plans for strategic partnerships with the United States in infrastructure development, technology sharing, and trade.
Lewin emphasized that American support extends beyond monetary aid to include military personnel and search-and-rescue operations, demonstrating Jamaica's importance to Washington. He pledged sustained engagement throughout all recovery phases.
Holness thanked Washington for deploying heavy-lift helicopters that enabled rescue teams to reach isolated communities, noting that the Jamaica Defense Force aircraft lacked comparable capacity. Initial damage assessments place losses near 68 billion dollars, though evaluations continue. The prime minister indicated that recovery depends significantly on international assistance and outlined plans for strategic partnerships with the United States in infrastructure development, technology sharing, and trade.
Lewin emphasized that American support extends beyond monetary aid to include military personnel and search-and-rescue operations, demonstrating Jamaica's importance to Washington. He pledged sustained engagement throughout all recovery phases.
