LONDON, Oct. 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Immediate financial support package of £2.5 million provided by UK Government to support Jamaica as hurricane Melissa continues through the island. * UK relief supplies and technical expertsdeployedtoassistwith disaster responseand recovery. * FCDO's humanitariansupport comes as one of the most severestorms in Caribbean history crosses the region.

The UK Government is mobilising £2.5min emergency humanitarian funding to support the Caribbean region's recovery from thedevastationcaused by Hurricane Melissa.

This funding will support a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, to help prevent injury, and disease outbreaks.

These emergency relief supplies have already been prepositioned in Antigua to ensurethey can be rapidly deployed to where they are needed most.UK humanitarian and technical expertsare also beingdeployedto the regiontoassistwith the coordination and delivery of aid.

Foreign SecretaryYvette Coopersaid:

The UKisactingswiftly to support the Jamaican authorities in providing disaster reliefand expertise in response to this terrible storm.

Specialist rapid deployment teamshavealsobeen positioned in the regionto provide consularassistanceround the clock to British nationalsaffected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa."

Meanwhile, Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is providing a maritime presence in the region to offer disaster response support, ifrequired. The UK Ministry of Defence has also pre-deployed a team to the Turks and Caicos Islands to support all phases of disaster management preparations,responseand recovery.

A specialist FCDORapidDeployment Team has also travelled to Miami, ready to provide consularassistanceto affected British nationals. These teams include specially trained consular staff members equipped to handle emergency situations, provide immediate logistical support, and liaise with local authorities to ensure British nationals receive the necessary assistance.British nationalsin Jamaica should continue to register their presence to receive updates from the FCDO.

The UK is working with tour operators,the Jamaican authorities and itsinternationalpartners,including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), andUN agencies, to ensurehumanitarian assistance is delivered to affected areas andmeetsthe immediate needs ofthemost vulnerable.

Notes to Editors

* British nationals in Jamaica should register their presencehere. * Foreign Secretary's statement in the House of Commons on Hurricane Melissa (28th October):Topical Questions - Hansard - UK Parliament.

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