MPs to question Minister on the Government's response to Hurricane Melissa
The International Development Committee is to question the Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Chris Elmore, on the UK’s humanitarian response to Hurricane Melissa, which hit Jamaica last year.
The one-off evidence session will also see Jamaican stakeholders speaking about the impacts of the hurricane and the international humanitarian response.
Landing on 28 October, Melissa was the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica since records began in 1851. The World Bank estimates that it caused damage amounting to US$ 8.8 bn (GBP £6.4 bn) or 41% of Jamaica’s GDP.
The international response saw the UK pledge £7.5m in emergency humanitarian funding, including £1m to the Red Cross appeal and £1m to the UN World Food Programme.
The Committee will use the one-off session to assess the preparedness and effectiveness of the UK’s humanitarian response. They will also consider the progress and effectiveness of the UK’s support for Small Island Developing States in light of the new Government’s new strategy.
Meeting details
The Minister could be quizzed on the plans and measures in place for responding to extreme weather events in the Caribbean prior to Hurricane Melissa’s arrival, and whether the Government should have pledged more humanitarian aid to Jamaica.
He could also be asked about how current restructuring in the FCDO will affect the goals set out in the UK Small Island Developing States Strategy 2026-2030.
Jamaican stakeholders are likely to speak about the impact that Hurricane Melissa had on Jamaica’s economy and society, and what they have seen at the community level. They could also be asked to rate the speed and effectiveness of the UK’s humanitarian response, as well as that of the wider international community.