ONE YEAR AFTER HURRICANE MELISSA, UK EXPANDS CARIBBEAN EMERGENCY SUPPORT
UK Minister for the Commonwealth Chris Elmore said:
“As we mark one year since Hurricane Melissa, we are reminded of the devastating impact hurricanes can have on communities across the Caribbean, and why being prepared before disaster strikes is so important.
“That’s why the UK has trebled the relief supplies we have pre-positioned across the Caribbean, so they are already in the region and can reach communities quickly when they are needed most.
“Here in Antigua and Barbuda, the supplies we have pre-positioned can support at least 10,000 people, including shelter kits, solar lighting and charging equipment.
“And with HMS Trent deployed in the Caribbean, we have a Royal Navy presence in the region ready to support our partners when disaster strikes, as Trent did following Hurricane Melissa last year.”
“We have also agreed a new four-year UK-Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Partnership, beginning with a £10 million programme jointly funded by the UK and Jamaica. Alongside our trebling of pre-positioned relief supplies across the Caribbean, this is about working with our Commonwealth partners both to recover from disasters and to be better prepared for the future.”
“That practical cooperation is the Commonwealth at its best: sharing expertise, preparing together and helping protect communities when it matters most.”
Background
Minister for the Commonwealth Chris Elmore is visiting Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM 2026, where he is undertaking a programme of engagements focused on Commonwealth cooperation, resilience and sustainable development.
As part of his visit, the Minister toured the UK-funded humanitarian relief stores in Antigua, which contain emergency supplies pre-positioned for rapid deployment across the Caribbean during the hurricane season.
The visit comes almost one year after Minister Elmore travelled to the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, when he saw first-hand the devastating impact of the storm on affected communities in Jamaica.
Source: Antigua News Room UK positions emergency supplies in Antigua and Barbuda to support at least 10,000 people.