Devastation and stoicism in Jamaica have struck me

A midwife from the UK is providing aid to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, which swept through parts of the Caribbean last October, aiming to uplift spirits and offer essential medical care. Wendy Warrington, hailing from Bury, Greater Manchester, has been deeply moved by the devastation she has witnessed, particularly among elderly residents in Jamaica, where roughly 1.5 million peopleover half of the nations populationhave been impacted.

This marks Ms. Warringtons first assignment with the charity UK-Med, headquartered in Stockport and operating as part of the UK's official humanitarian response. She shared with BBC Radio Manchester that many individuals have lost everything, including their homes. She noted the resilience of the affected communities: Despite everything, there is a remarkable stoicism. People are focused on getting through this.

Ms. Warrington arrived in Jamaica on November 10 and planned to stay for four weeks, assisting in delivering primary healthcare services to local populations. She described the challenges faced by residents: Some are staying with relatives or in temporary shelters. They have only the clothes they are wearing and no access to healthcare. She expressed admiration for the gratitude shown by locals: What touches me most is the profound appreciation from the Jamaican people for our presence. Even the children, whose schools have been destroyed, remain cheerful and smile when we arrive.

Hurricane Melissa affected nearly half of Jamaicas population and caused damage across other Caribbean nations. Ms. Warrington works alongside medical teams supporting local healthcare staff so they can address their own needs, as many of their homes were also affected. She is stationed in Trelawny, one of the regions severely hit by the storm, and reports ongoing challenges with electricity outages and limited running water.

Since arriving, the UK-Med teams have treated over 500 patients. The charity operates in Jamaica with the authorization of both the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness. David Wightwick, CEO of UK-Med, emphasized that the teams mission focuses on recovery and support: The Jamaican government is capable and well-staffed. What they need is time to restore clinics and support healthcare workers whose homes and families have been affected.

While Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction and fatalities, Ms. Warrington has managed various medical cases but has not yet delivered any babies in Jamaica. Interestingly, she assisted a pregnant passenger with a membrane rupture on a train in Manchester before departing for her flight, demonstrating her readiness to help whenever needed. The passenger later sent a message expressing gratitude for Ms. Warringtons timely assistance.

Author: Sophia Brooks