In a powerful address at the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council, St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United States, Jacinth Henry-Martin, reaffirmed her nation’s solidarity with Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, which struck Jamaica with sustained winds of 185 mph, caused widespread devastation, claiming over 40 lives and leaving communities in ruins. Ambassador Henry-Martin used the platform to emphasize the urgent need for global action on climate change, particularly for small island developing states (SIDS) that bear the brunt of its impacts. She highlighted the grim realities on the ground, including lives lost, livelihoods destroyed, and the immense challenges of rebuilding in the face of increasingly severe weather events. Henry-Martin stressed that the aftermath of such disasters is not just about recovery but a struggle for survival, as SIDS face repeated vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change. She called for a just international response, urging major emitting nations to honor their commitments to climate finance and the Loss and Damage Fund. Early estimates suggest Jamaica faces over US$2 billion in damages, underscoring the disproportionate burden SIDS endure. Regional leaders, climate activists, and stakeholders have amplified these calls at the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) in Brazil, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the urgent need to prevent global warming from surpassing the 1.5°C threshold. Ambassador Henry-Martin concluded by urging hemispheric stakeholders to unite in protecting lives and livelihoods during and after disasters, emphasizing that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present crisis.
St. Kitts and Nevis stands in solidarity with Jamaica as Ambassador highlights climate change crisis at OAS
