British lawmakers and campaigners are urging the UK government to provide increased aid and humanitarian visas to Jamaicans following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which has left hundreds of thousands in a dire humanitarian crisis.
In response to the hurricane, the UK has committed £7.5 million in emergency funds to Jamaica and other impacted Caribbean islands. However, many advocates believe that the UK has a moral duty to extend greater support to its former colonies. Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Jamaica, has addressed the issue directly to the home secretary, advocating for temporary humanitarian visas and fee waivers for vulnerable Jamaican nationals, particularly the elderly and children, who wish to join family members in the UK.
During an emergency meeting in Butler’s constituency, which is home to a significant Jamaican population, attendees expressed the need to relax visa restrictions for those affected by the hurricane. Butler stressed the importance of the UK’s historical ties with Jamaica, stating, “I am confident that, with compassion and collaboration, we can play a vital role in supporting those most in need during this difficult period.”
Support for this initiative comes from Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, who emphasized the necessity of sustained support for Jamaica. She criticized the initial response, which seemed to focus primarily on tourism recovery rather than tackling the ongoing needs of those affected by the hurricane. Abbott noted the long-term implications of recovering from this disaster, particularly for severely impacted areas.
Euen Herbert-Small, a Windrush activist, compared the situation to the UK’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, calling for a similar humanitarian protection scheme for Jamaicans affected by the hurricane. He pointed out the historical and present ties between Jamaica and the UK, asserting that these connections create a moral obligation to support Jamaica in its time of crisis. Herbert-Small has initiated a petition aimed at securing humanitarian visas for those affected.
Rosalea Hamilton, chief executive of the Lasco Chin Foundation, which assists hurricane-stricken communities, echoed this sentiment, noting the pressing need for aid and the expectation of support from the UK given its historical links to Jamaica.
The impact of Hurricane Melissa has been devastating, with nearly a million of Jamaica’s 2.8 million residents affected and approximately 150,000 homes damaged or destroyed. Prime Minister Andrew Holness estimated the damage at around $8 billion. Meanwhile, Pearnel Charles, Jamaica’s minister of labor and social security, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to provide aid and assess long-term needs affected by the disaster, including psychological support for those impacted.
Compounding the challenges, Jamaica is also facing a leptospirosis outbreak, which has already resulted in confirmed deaths and hundreds of suspected cases. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed that the healthcare system is capable of managing the situation.
As the discussions continue, the Green Party has emphasized the need for the UK to take responsibility and provide further aid to Jamaica. Party spokesperson Ellie Chowns linked the call for climate justice to the historical injustices of slavery, noting that the effects of climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately impact communities of African descent, particularly during disasters like Hurricane Melissa.
Overall, there is a growing recognition of the importance of international solidarity and responsibility in the wake of natural disasters, highlighting the need for targeted support and aid to help rebuild and recover communities most affected by such events.