A flight carrying British aid arrived in Jamaica early on Saturday to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, as the UK plans its first chartered flight to bring British nationals home later on Saturday.
The aid flight brought more than 3,000 emergency shelter kits as part of a £7.5m regional emergency package.
Part of the funding will be used to match public donations up to £1m to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent - with King Charles and Queen Camilla among those who have donated.
Despite aid arriving in Jamaica in recent days, fallen trees and landslides have complicated distribution after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of the island, killing at least 19 people.
The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a category five storm and was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever measured in the Caribbean.
Melissa swept across the region over several days, inflicting severe damage, with at least 30 fatalities reported in Haiti due to flooding and landslides. Jamaica's Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon described Friday how entire communities appear marooned and many areas are flattened.
The UK initially set aside a £2.5 million immediate financial support package, with an additional £5 million announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as reports of devastation emerged.
Cooper confirmed that additional funding aims to assist in restoring homes and infrastructure impacted by the hurricane.
The British Red Cross stated that the royal family's donation would aid the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) in lifesaving efforts, including healthcare access and emergency shelter solutions.
As of Saturday morning, the Red Cross reported that 72% of Jamaica remains without electricity, and approximately 6,000 individuals are in emergency shelters.
In response to the ongoing crisis, aid organizations, such as Global Empowerment Mission, are mobilizing to deliver humanitarian assistance to affected areas, despite significant access challenges due to infrastructure damage.
The UK is preparing to evacuate around 8,000 British nationals, with the first chartered flights anticipated to depart from Kingston soon.
Travelers have been advised to register their presence on the island and ensure communication with airlines regarding their travel arrangements.
