Canada boosts  hurricane relief with $17M aid

By Kojo

Canada has announced an expanded package of humanitarian and development assistance to help Caribbean nations recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, bringing the country’s total contribution to more than $17 million.

On November 12 last in Ottawa, Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, unveiled two major initiatives: a matching fund for the Canadian Red Cross’s Hurricane Melissa Appeal and new development aid to support long-term recovery in Jamaica.

Under the matching fund program, every donation made by individuals to the Red Cross appeal between October 28 last and November 24 last will be matched by the Government of Canada up to $1.5 million.

The funds will enable the Red Cross Movement to provide emergency health services, sanitation support and other critical assistance to communities still reeling from the storm.

Sarai also announced more than $2.5 million in additional humanitarian funding for Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, bringing Canada’s direct humanitarian response to Hurricane Melissa to over $11 million.

The new contribution includes support for organizations such as the World Food Programme, the Pan American Health Organization, CARE Canada, Doctors Without Borders, and Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

Canada’s support will focus on restoring essential services and strengthening disaster resilience in the region. In Jamaica more than $6 million in development assistance will help repair health

facilities, replace medical equipment, upgrade water and sanitation infrastructure, and improve climate resilience in the health sector. The funds will also support emergency telecommunications systems, warehouse repairs, and agricultural recovery efforts, including providing tools and training to small-scale farmers.

“The full extent of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is becoming clearer and Canada is stepping up its support,” Sarai said. “By matching donations, we’re joining Canadians in supporting Red Cross partners on the ground that are delivering urgent and life-saving assistance to those hit hardest. Together, we’re doubling the impact and bringing hope and help to communities in crisis,” he noted.

According to Global Affairs Canada, the $11 million humanitarian response includes $4.5 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food and logistics in Jamaica and Cuba; $1.5 million for the Red Cross matching fund; $1.5 million to CARE Canada; $1 million to the Pan American Health Organization; and additional funds to deploy relief items and medical kits to the region.

Canada’s latest announcement reaffirms its commitment to stand with Caribbean partners as they recover and rebuild for a more sustainable and resilient future.

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