Both commercial and relief operations are being facilitated at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, which has become a critical hub for post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, announced that 20 cargo flights were scheduled to arrive on Friday, October 31, bringing essential supplies to support affected communities. He noted that 13 cargo flights had already landed on Thursday, alongside several commercial and private aircraft carrying relief provisions.
Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Friday, Vaz said the airport’s continued operation has been vital to coordinating international aid and maintaining the flow of humanitarian goods.
“The support that we have gotten is overwhelming, and we thank our partners all across the world—governments, charitable organisations, and NGOs,” Vaz said. He praised the efforts of the Jamaican Diaspora and the international community for their swift and generous response.
The Minister also highlighted the United States Government’s contribution, including the deployment of multiple helicopters to assist with delivering aid to marooned and storm-ravaged areas. “These aircraft have the ability to transfer or treat persons who may need medical attention, as well as to transport substantial quantities of relief supplies,” he explained.
In addition to the U.S. helicopters, several of Jamaica’s larger charitable organisations have joined the response, using their own assets—including private helicopters—to move relief materials.
Vaz said the government is working to ensure efficient coordination across all operations. “What we will do is coordinate with the Jamaica Defence Force, who will be in charge of the overall flight operations of those helicopters, the NGOs, and the Government’s response through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and other arms of government, to make sure that we have smooth logistics in trying to get into as many communities as possible, as quickly as possible,” he said.
The continued arrival of relief flights and coordination between government, NGOs, and international partners marks a significant step in Jamaica’s nationwide recovery effort following the catastrophic Category 5 hurricane.
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