Xi extends condolences over deadly hurricane in Jamaica

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday extended condolences over the casualties and heavy losses caused by a hurricane that swept through Jamaica.

In a message to the Governor-General of Jamaica Patrick Allen, Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, mourned the fatal victims and offered sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the injured and the affected communities.

Depicting Jamaica as China's strategic partner, Xi voiced China's willingness to offer assistance to Jamaica, supporting the Jamaican people in overcoming the disaster and rebuilding their homes at an early date.

Also on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a message of condolence to the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness.

Nearly one week after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on the island, the Caribbean nation is organizing to help people devastated by the disaster.

The death toll from the storm is up to 32 people in Jamaica, Minister of Information Dana Morris Dixon told a news briefing on Monday, though the number was expected to rise. The overall death toll throughout the Caribbean exceeds 60 victims.

"We need every help we can get. So we need food, water, toiletries," said Tackeisha Frazer, a resident of Westmoreland, one of the areas hit hardest by the hurricane last week.

"We have a lot of people who are displaced and not able to either sleep or have anything," she told Agence France-Presse while waiting in line at a makeshift aid distribution center for essential goods.

Lines of volunteers unloaded trucks filled with packs of water bottles, boxes of food and rolls of toilet paper to distribute at the center.

One of the volunteers, Millicent McCurdy, addressed the international community for aid, saying, "Anyone overseas who can help these people, because these people are homeless, they don't have clothing, they don't have food, they don't have water, they need help."

Agencies - Xinhua