GEORGETOWN, Guyana — President Irfaan Ali said Tuesday evening he spoke by phone with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and reaffirmed Guyana’s “full readiness” to support Jamaica as it reels from Hurricane Melissa’s historic strike.
“I assured the Prime Minister that the Government and people of Guyana stand in solidarity with Jamaica and that our love, prayers, and every form of support remain with them during this difficult time,” President Ali said following the call.
The outreach builds on earlier assurances issued Sunday, when President Ali announced that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) were fully mobilised to render assistance. “I’ve sent off a letter to the Government of Jamaica telling them that the GDF and the CDC are fully mobilised and stand ready to support every effort in this situation,” he said at the time, urging citizens to “remain safe, remain calm, and support each other.”
He also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to coordinate with the private sector and other stakeholders to provide assistance for Guyanese students and vulnerable families in Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, the most powerful ever recorded in Jamaica’s history, unleashing sustained winds of 185 mph (298 km/h) and torrential rainfall. The storm flattened homes, destroyed crops, and severed power to hundreds of thousands across the island, leaving widespread devastation in its wake.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the hurricane’s impact as a “national tragedy”, vowing that his government would lead a determined effort to rebuild. “The damage is extensive, but our spirit is unbroken. We will rebuild stronger, and we will recover together as one Jamaican family,” Holness said in a televised address.
In Georgetown, the CDC confirmed it is preparing to deploy humanitarian relief supplies and technical support once Jamaica completes its damage assessments and identifies priority needs. President Ali’s office said coordination is already underway between regional partners through CARICOM’s disaster response framework.
As Jamaica begins its long road to recovery, President Ali reiterated that Guyana’s commitment goes beyond words. “Guyana stands ready to assist our brothers and sisters in Jamaica,” he said. “In the Caribbean, we are one family — and together, we will overcome.”