OTTAWA — The Canadian government has announced a $7 million humanitarian aid package for Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Melissa. The storm, which made landfall on Tuesday, has been classified as a Category 5 hurricane and has resulted in numerous fatalities and extensive damage across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.

Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting the Caribbean during this crisis. "Canada stands with the people of the Caribbean in its efforts at this moment, not with words but with action," he stated during a press conference on Parliament Hill. He added, "We’ll be here tomorrow to help rebuild stronger, safer and more resilient communities."

The aid package includes $5 million designated for life-saving assistance through emergency response agencies and health providers. The remaining $2 million will be allocated to the World Food Programme to aid in the distribution of food and supplies to Jamaica. Sarai noted that Global Affairs Canada is currently identifying the specific countries and organizations that will receive this funding.

As of Thursday morning, no Canadians have been reported missing or injured due to the hurricane. However, communication with the affected regions remains challenging due to widespread power outages. The department confirmed that its embassy in Havana has not received any requests for assistance from Canadians in Cuba, while the high commission in Jamaica is operating remotely due to accessibility issues.

In response to the crisis, two members of the department’s rapid deployment team have already arrived in Kingston, with three more set to follow. Their role will be to provide emergency consular services and logistical support to Canadian diplomats in the region. Kingston’s main airport has reopened for commercial flights, facilitating aid efforts.

Sarai mentioned that Canada is ready to deploy relief supplies from its emergency stockpile through the Red Cross if requested by affected countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand added that military assistance could be provided if needed. "At this moment, the request from Jamaica has been for humanitarian aid. That is what we are stepping up to provide. There has been no request for the Canadian Armed Forces at this time," she said.

Anand emphasized the importance of ensuring that aid is distributed quickly and reliably. Canada has previously funded programs to help Caribbean nations prepare for natural disasters through emergency planning and logistics. Additionally, Canada is involved in a multi-year initiative aimed at reforming global financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to assist Caribbean countries in developing climate-resilient infrastructure.