Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa

Baroness Scotland of Asthal Excerpts

Wednesday 29th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

That is a really important point. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Kamina Johnson Smith, the Foreign Minister in Jamaica, on Monday before Melissa hit, to have exactly that conversation. I know, because I have spoken with Ms Johnson Smith myself in Jamaica, the extent to which the Government there are understanding of what they need to do, and the preparation made within the region is dramatically different now because so much more is known. Our capability in predicting these events is enhanced, and the capability within the region is really quite impressive. That does not mean that they can handle this on their own—of course not. We have a responsibility, which we take incredibly seriously, not least because, as the noble Lord says, there are such strong community links and people-to-people links, particularly with Jamaica. We will continue to work alongside the Government there to make sure that they get what they need to get through this initial period. It is fast moving—we are assessing the damage and will do what we need to do now. This is something on which we are likely to have to stay close to the Government of Jamaica working on for some time.

[Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Lab)]

My Lords, what are the Government prepared to do to assist children in particular? The Minister will know that, tragically, whenever these hurricanes hit, it is women and children who are affected most severely. Can she tell us what work the Government are doing in the longer term to build resilience to support the amazing work that is being done in the Caribbean? The whole Caribbean works together to prepare for these hurricanes, which, regrettably, are coming faster and heavier, with every hurricane getting bigger and worse.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The point about the increased frequency and severity of these extreme weather events is really important, particularly as we approach COP. I know that leaders in the Caribbean and elsewhere want to see UK leadership continue to address that. We work alongside Governments across the Caribbean—and I have to say that Jamaica takes a lead in much of this—with CARIF and with the work that we are doing on finance, particularly on insurance, as I said earlier, making sure that countries are able to take out insurance. We have supported the payment of premiums and the negotiation of policies that will pay out very quickly, within weeks of an extreme weather event, so that there is no need to do all the usual assessment and all the rest, and so that when a weather event is triggered, that money gets to where it is needed as quickly as possible. I saw that in Grenada, where farmers were able to rebuild very quickly, within the season, to enable them to support themselves and continue with their livelihoods. These things are the consequence of long-term partnerships, and I thank my noble and learned friend for the work that she has done to make this possible over the years.