Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa

Earl of Courtown Excerpts

Wednesday 29th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We will provide support in the way that is needed. We have people pre-positioned alongside practical assistance such as shelter kits and other necessary immediate response equipment. I have visited the response centre in Antigua that supports the region. The noble Lord is right that this is not over; the hurricane, although diminishing in ferocity—it was a level 5 when it hit Jamaica, the fiercest hurricane in history—is still at level 3, which is severe. We are keeping in very close contact with our overseas territories in particular, but it also looks as though the hurricane may pass over the Bahamas, so we need to be alive to further developments. We have a Royal Navy presence in the region in the form of HMS “Trent” and experts in initial humanitarian response. We also have our consular team in Miami ready to respond and support the very many British nationals in Jamaica.

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her update on the actions that His Majesty’s Government are taking in relation to Hurricane Melissa. I understand that the FCDO website went live yesterday for UK visitors to Jamaica to notify the department of their presence. It was known at the weekend that Melissa was active and was going to hit Jamaica very shortly. Notwithstanding these facts, how are visitors to Jamaica able to notify the department if there is very little wifi and only intermittent signal?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Earl is right that this is a problem. We encourage British nationals to register their presence; we have 24/7 telephone access available, and we have our team in Kingston. The situation is incredibly difficult; there is local advice issued by authorities in Jamaica, which we encourage British nationals to adhere to. We updated our travel advice on Thursday about the likely strength of Hurricane Melissa. This is hurricane season in the Caribbean; these events are not unprecedented, sadly, but the severity and impact of this hurricane are greater than we have seen before.