The Canadian federal government is urging citizens to refrain from traveling to specific areas in the Caribbean as Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc in the region.
This Category 5 hurricane has resulted in numerous fatalities and extensive devastation across Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti, with reports of power outages and residents being displaced from flooded communities on Wednesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) indicated that, while it has no information regarding Canadian casualties related to the storm, it has released updated travel advisories for the affected areas.
The advisory recommends that Canadians avoid all travel to Jamaica, Haiti, and the eastern parts of Cuba. A similar warning had already been established for Haiti due to concerns over kidnappings and violence.
Furthermore, travelers are advised to steer clear of all non-essential trips to the southeastern and central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda.
Satellite images from meteorological agencies revealed Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, as it approached Jamaica and Cuba.
According to the release, GAC is sending a rapid-response team to the affected region to assist with emergency measures and support.
Canadians in need of help in the impacted locations can reach GAC via phone at 1-613-996-8885, email at melissa.sos@international.gc.ca, SMS at 1-613-686-3658, WhatsApp at 1-613-909-8881, or Signal at 1-613-909-8087.
Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, stated that Canada is “closely” monitoring the unfolding situation and is prepared to respond to any local requests for logistical or humanitarian aid.
<p"This is a significant disaster. It is a Class 5 hurricane, the most powerful that Jamaica has ever experienced in recorded history," Sarai remarked on Parliament Hill.
“Nothing can withstand such pressure.”
Sarai mentioned that both Cuba and Jamaica have accessed US$4 million from a United Nations emergency fund, to which Canada has contributed over $29 million this year.
Disbursements have also been made from Canadian-supported funds operated by the Red Cross and World Food Program, along with Canadian initiatives aimed at enhancing hurricane resilience, according to his office.
“We are coordinating with both governments to explore any additional support we can offer and any humanitarian assistance we can provide,” Sarai stated.
“If any requests come in, I believe Canada would consider them favorably, but we will evaluate those once they are made.”
