OTTAWA — As of Wednesday afternoon, no Canadians have been reported dead due to Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in the Caribbean. Randeep Sarai, the secretary of state for international development, confirmed the information and stated that Canada is closely monitoring the situation.

Sarai emphasized that Canada is prepared to assist with logistics and humanitarian needs as local governments request help. He described Hurricane Melissa as a significant disaster, noting its classification as a Category 5 hurricane, the most powerful type, which has caused extensive damage in Jamaica.

“It’s a huge disaster. It’s a class 5, it is the largest that Jamaica has ever seen in recorded history,” Sarai said during a press briefing on Parliament Hill. He added, “There is nothing that can withstand that pressure.”

In response to the crisis, both Cuba and Jamaica have accessed $4 million from a United Nations emergency fund, to which Canada has contributed over $29 million this year. Additionally, Canadian-supported funds from organizations like the Red Cross and the World Food Programme have also been disbursed to aid recovery efforts.

Sarai mentioned that Canada is working with the governments of affected countries to determine further assistance. “If any request is made, I think Canada would look at it pretty favorably, but we’ll make that assessment once those requests are made,” he said.

Global Affairs Canada has deployed a rapid response team to the region to provide emergency support and consular assistance to Canadians. The department reported receiving 138 requests for information from Canadians in the area since October 23.

Currently, there are 2,113 Canadians registered in Jamaica, 1,806 in Cuba, 4,134 in the Dominican Republic, 3,230 in Haiti, 1,506 in the Cayman Islands, 548 in the Bahamas, and 235 in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The High Commission of Canada to Jamaica has temporarily reduced non-consular operations and will remain closed until further notice. However, it continues to operate remotely, with consular calls being managed from Ottawa. The Embassy of Canada to Cuba remains operational with a reduced staff, and all personnel at Canadian missions in the region are reported safe.

Before the hurricane struck, Global Affairs Canada advised Canadians in the region to register with the department, adhere to local shelter and evacuation orders, and be cautious of misinformation online. The department has also warned against all travel to Jamaica, Haiti, and specific areas in Cuba, as well as non-essential travel to parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The hurricane has resulted in widespread power outages and numerous fatalities, prompting ongoing monitoring and coordination with humanitarian organizations to assess the needs of those affected.