Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Steps Up for Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed deep solidarity with the people of Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, announcing an urgent national relief drive and shipments of food and essential supplies to the island.

Speaking at the Port of Spain docks, where she personally oversaw loading operations, Persad-Bissessar made an emotional connection to Jamaica:

“You may not know, Jamaica is very close to me. I lived there for 14 years. So part of who I am, in my earlier years, is moulded partly by Jamaica.”

She revealed that her government, in partnership with corporate allies, has already loaded large containers and pallets of relief goods bound for Jamaica — but acknowledged that more help will be needed.

“We’ve packed these huge, huge pallets with food and essentials to send to Jamaica, but it will not be enough,” she said.

The Prime Minister called on citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to join the relief effort, announcing that her administration will open all available state resources to accept donations and logistical support.

“I’ve asked the government to make all resources available for people to donate and assist. Jamaica needs us now,” she urged.

Persad-Bissessar also extended her compassion to Cuba and Haiti, both of which suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Melissa.

“We will also be sending assistance to Cuba and Haiti. They are our CARICOM brothers and sisters — and we have to help them,” she said.

Her remarks have been widely praised across the region as a powerful gesture of Caribbean unity and solidarity, reinforcing the spirit of “one Caribbean family” in the face of crisis.