A UK government-chartered flight will depart Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, evacuating British nationals after Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic damage across the island.

The evacuation follows the UK’s delivery of aid as part of a £7.5 million emergency relief package, which includes £1 million in matched public donations to the Red Cross and Red Crescent. King Charles and Queen Camilla are among those who donated.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on Tuesday, killing at least 19 people and leaving widespread destruction. The storm also claimed 30 lives in Haiti and caused severe flooding in Cuba.

Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon described entire communities as “marooned” or “flattened.” Around 8,000 British nationals were on the island when the hurricane hit.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expanded aid by £5 million, citing “the scale of devastation, damaged homes, blocked roads and loss of life.”

The Red Cross says 72% of Jamaica remains without power and 6,000 people are in emergency shelters. Hospitals, including Black River Hospital, have been severely damaged, forcing relocations.

Aid groups face difficulties due to landslides, downed power lines, and blocked roads, though helicopters and truck convoys are now reaching some of the hardest-hit areas.

With fuel shortages, looting for food, and limited clean water, humanitarian conditions remain dire — but more international assistance is expected in the coming days.