Canada Pledges $7 Million in Aid to Caribbean Nations

Canada has pledged $7 million in humanitarian aid, including emergency relief and food support, to Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa, while remaining ready to deploy military assistance if requested.

Canada has announced $7 million in humanitarian assistance for Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm earlier this week. Of the total aid, $5 million will be directed towards emergency response and health services, while $2 million has been earmarked for the World Food Programme to support food distribution efforts in Jamaica.

Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai highlighted Canada’s readiness to provide relief supplies from its emergency stockpiles, stressing the country’s commitment to supporting communities in crisis. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand added that Canadian military assistance could be deployed if requested by the affected nations.

Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, claiming dozens of lives and severely damaging infrastructure, including roads, homes, and power networks. Authorities have reported that, to date, no Canadians have been injured or killed as a result of the storm.

Teams from Global Affairs Canada have already begun arriving on the ground in Jamaica, providing logistical support and emergency consular services, while the region’s main airports gradually reopen to facilitate relief operations.

As Caribbean communities begin the difficult process of recovery, Canada’s swift action serves as a reminder that in the wake of natural disasters, solidarity is measured not only in words but in tangible support. Officials have underscored the importance of coordinated international aid to rebuild resilient, safer communities capable of withstanding future storms.