The League of African Ambassadors has expressed deep sorrow and unwavering solidarity with the people and governments of Jamaica and other Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

In a statement signed by Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, President of the League and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia, the group extended heartfelt condolences to those affected, describing the tragedy as a shared pain between Africa and the Caribbean.

“While oceans may separate us, the deep historical, cultural, and ancestral bonds that unite Africa and the Caribbean remain unbreakable,” the statement read. “The pain of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean is our pain. Their loss is our loss.”

The League said it was compelled by the timeless principles of Pan-Africanism to stand in solidarity with the entire region affected by the disaster, emphasizing that the plight of one part of the global African family concerns all people of African descent.

To support recovery efforts, Ambassador Ominyi announced the launch of a diplomatic initiative tagged “Hand of Friendship and Advocacy,” aimed at mobilizing international attention and resources.

The initiative includes:

• An urgent call to action to the international community, particularly the United Nations and humanitarian agencies, to deploy emergency response teams and scale up aid.
• Deployment of technical experts by global bodies such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Red Cross, and other disaster-response NGOs to help assess damage and coordinate recovery.
• Creation of a long-term partnership dubbed the Africa-Caribbean Climate Resilience Initiative to strengthen cooperation in climate advocacy and financing.

“Africa stands with you,” Ominyi declared. “Our solidarity is expressed through our diplomatic voice and our moral authority to ensure your call for help is heard and acted upon across the world.”

He added that the League’s response would focus on promoting unity, resilience, and shared advocacy for climate justice, particularly for small island developing states and African nations most affected by climate change.

The League of African Ambassadors is a collective body representing African nations, committed to promoting Pan-African solidarity, advancing common interests, and providing a unified voice on continental and global matters.

— Katsina Times