King Charles III and Queen Camilla support Red Cross relief efforts for communities stricken by Hurricane Melissa

Their Majesties King Charles III, Patron of the British Red Cross, and Queen Camilla, are among those who have donated to the Red Cross humanitarian appeal supporting people affected by Hurricane Melissa. 

The donation will help the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) support Red Cross National Societies responding to aftermath of the storm. This includes in Jamaica where the storm made landfall in the southwestern region of the country near New Hope, on 28 October as a Category 5 hurricane — the third strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Across Jamaica, more than 72 percent of the population is without electricity, and around 6,000 people remain in emergency shelters, many of whom have lost their homes or livelihoods.   

Red Cross volunteers are already responding in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, with local volunteers also preparing as the storm moved to the Bahamas. Volunteers have been distributing life-saving emergency supplies, preparing and managing shelters. A 28-ton charter flight from the IFRC humanitarian hub in Panama is ready to depart carrying kitchen sets, blankets, jerrycans, and hygiene supplies for 1,800 families.   

The UK government is providing match funding of up to £1 million for public donations to the IFRC appeal in support of Jamaica. 

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: 

“King Charles and Queen Camilla’s donation will help the IFRC network continue its lifesaving work, particularly in Jamaica, such as through search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies. The scale of this disaster is immense, and the Red Cross will be there for the long road ahead." 

Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General, said:  

“We are very grateful for this donation and hope it will encourage others to donate, too. Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica hard. Our emergency appeal is essential to raise the funds needed to help people rebuild their lives over the months and years to come." 

ENDS  

Notes to editors 

Find out more about the Red Cross response to Hurricane Melissa. 

For more information about the IFRC emergency appeal please visit the IFRC website. 

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk