US is sending dozens of relief workers to help with fallout from Hurricane Melissa - WTOP News

The United States is mobilizing several dozen disaster relief workers to assist Caribbean island nations reeling from the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Teams deploying include Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) from Washington, Miami, and Costa Rica, as well as urban search and rescue crews from Los Angeles County, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia. These personnel are expected to land within 24 to 48 hours, linking up with local responders in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. From these bases, they'll extend aid to neighboring Haiti, one of the hardest-hit countries by the storm. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a powerful Atlantic hurricane, one of the strongest on record, before weakening and continuing on to Cuba. The storm has tragically resulted in dozens of fatalities and caused widespread devastation across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. Local and U.S. authorities anticipate an urgent need for supplies such as hygiene kits, temporary housing, sanitation equipment, and food. These resources will be drawn from aid warehouses in Miami and local stockpiles managed by various relief organizations. Despite recent changes in U.S. disaster response infrastructure, including the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, officials remain confident that the relief efforts will be swift and effective. They also emphasized that the ongoing U.S. government shutdown will not hinder operations as critical personnel have been exempted from furloughs. Questions remain about immediate compensation for DART members, but urban search and rescue teams are employed locally and covered under standing contracts. The Pentagon's Southern Command, based in Tampa, Florida, is reviewing potential military support options to help with logistics. Colonel Manny Ortiz noted that a situational assessment team is preparing to evaluate conditions on the ground and identify unique needs for life-saving aid and humanitarian relief. While no final decision has been made on the scale of military involvement, the possibility of using military aircraft and vessels to transport personnel and supplies to hard-to-reach areas is under consideration. Interestingly, the Trump administration has increased military presence in the Caribbean, primarily targeting drug trafficking operations. This buildup includes an aircraft carrier joining eight warships, multiple aircraft, and thousands of troops already in the region. So far, the hurricane hasn't impacted these military operations. Meanwhile, the State Department does not currently plan to evacuate the thousands of American citizens living or visiting the affected islands, expecting that most can leave via commercial flights or ships once transport hubs reopen. Approximately 5,000 Americans are registered in Jamaica and 3,200 in the Bahamas through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, although actual numbers may be higher since registration is voluntary. In summary, the U.S. response to Hurricane Melissa involves a coordinated deployment of disaster relief experts and urban rescuers, supported by logistical and potentially military aid. Authorities are preparing for challenges in delivering essential supplies and navigating damaged infrastructure, while maintaining focus on effective humanitarian support to the affected Caribbean nations.