France Stands in Solidarity with Jamaica Following Hurricane Melissa

France expresses its full solidarity with Jamaica following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, which has caused widespread damage across the island and significantly affected communities, infrastructure, and essential services.

France is preparing to dispatch humanitarian assistance to Jamaica today.

Essential relief kits and water treatment units will be delivered in the coming days by the French Armed Forces in the West Indies, as part of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, reflecting a coordinated European response to humanitarian emergencies.

This act of solidarity is rooted in the long and layered history between France and Jamaica, a relationship shaped by centuries of Caribbean history and strengthened through modern regional cooperation. During the colonial period, France and Britain—then the colonial power in Jamaica—were deeply engaged in the political, economic, and maritime dynamics of the Caribbean, with frequent interaction across neighbouring territories. Over time, these historical encounters gave way to post-independence relations defined not by rivalry, but by partnership and shared regional responsibility.

In the contemporary era, France’s enduring presence in the Caribbean through its overseas territories has positioned it as a key regional actor and close neighbour to Jamaica. This proximity has fostered sustained cooperation in disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, maritime security, environmental protection, education, and cultural exchange. France and Jamaica have worked alongside one another within regional and multilateral frameworks to address common challenges, including climate vulnerability, transnational security concerns, and sustainable development.

France’s swift mobilisation in response to Hurricane Melissa reflects this deepened partnership and a shared understanding of the Caribbean’s exposure to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. It also underscores France’s broader commitment to Caribbean solidarity, recognising that resilience in the region depends on cooperation, mutual support, and collective preparedness.

The French Embassy in Jamaica, with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs—particularly through its Crisis and Support Centre—is fully mobilised and remains in close and continuous contact with the French community and French nationals currently in or visiting the affected areas.