Advertisement
Americas and the Caribbean
WorldAmericas

Medical supplies, staff in short supply in Jamaica, Cuba after Hurricane Melissa kills 50

Described as one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, Melissa caused widespread damage in the Caribbean

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
People walk along a street destroyed by Hurricane Melissa in Black River, Jamaica, on Friday. Photo: EPA
dpa
Jamaica plans to set up field hospitals in five western parishes after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to health facilities, Health Minister Christopher Tufton has said.

Local media reports from Friday quote Tufton as saying that additional support was needed for doctors and nurses, many of whom were already stretched to the limit.

Power and water services remain disrupted across many areas due to damaged infrastructure and fuel stations in the west of the country have reported low or no supplies, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said.

Advertisement

Authorities, with support from international partners and organisations, are working to accelerate clean-up operations and distribute humanitarian aid quickly.

Aerial view of Montego Bay in Jamaica on Friday shows the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Photo: AP
Aerial view of Montego Bay in Jamaica on Friday shows the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Photo: AP

Jamaican medical associations urged doctors to volunteer at the hospital in Black River, a heavily affected southern community, to relieve colleagues who had been working continuously in the damaged facility for days, the Nationwide portal reported.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x