France, Netherlands join EU and Barbados in regional response to Hurricane Melissa

BRIDGETOWN—France and the Netherlands joined the European Union and Barbados last week in a coordinated regional response to Hurricane Melissa, delivering critical assistance to Jamaica and other affected areas. The joint operation, led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), brought together UN agencies, the World Food Programme (WFP), and international partners to ensure that emergency supplies reached the hardest-hit communities.

The mobilisation highlighted both regional solidarity and the importance of preparedness. Relief items that had been pre-positioned at the Regional Logistics Hub for Humanitarian Assistance in Barbados allowed for a swift and organized response. Food, potable water, shelter kits, and sanitation supplies were among the items distributed to residents in need.

Following Jamaica’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, France and the Netherlands deployed naval vessels to deliver aid. The French Navy ship Dumont d’Urville departed from Bridgetown early in the week carrying emergency supplies, followed by the Dutch support vessel Pelikaan, which transported additional relief items to complement ongoing national and regional operations.

The EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service also supported efforts on the ground by producing satellite maps that identified the most affected areas, enabling humanitarian teams to better target their interventions.

“The scale of destruction called for unity and urgency,” said Fiona Ramsey, Ambassador of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, and the OECS. “Thanks to the preparedness measures already in place and the swift cooperation of all partners, assistance reached those who needed it most. We are deeply grateful to our member states France and the Netherlands, as well as to CDEMA, the Government of Barbados and the Department of Emergency Management, Canada, IOM, PAHO, the Red Cross movement, the UK, UNICEF, and the WFP for their collaboration. The tireless work of all made this joint effort possible.”

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