Overview
- Haiti’s government reports 43 dead and 13 missing, while Jamaica has confirmed 32 fatalities with several communities still cut off.
- The State Department announced $24 million in emergency aid—$12 million for Jamaica, $8.5 million for Haiti, $500,000 for the Bahamas, and $3 million for Cuba via the Catholic Church—along with deployed DART and urban search-and-rescue teams.
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness told lawmakers damage equals roughly 28% to 32% of Jamaica’s GDP and signaled temporary suspension of fiscal rules as short-term output declines are expected.
- Relief flights and shipments are ramping up as NGOs, diaspora groups, and donors—including efforts led by Shaggy and contributions through the Archewell Foundation—send food, water, medical supplies, and essentials.
- The U.S. updated its Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, urging travelers to consider rescheduling trips due to crime, health risks, and hurricane-related disruptions to services.