The League of African Ambassadors (LAA) has urged deeper cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, anchored in shared resilience, history, and humanity.
LAA made the call while expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with the people and governments of Jamaica and other Caribbean nations devastated by the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa.
In a statement issued on Friday, LAA President Ambassador Nwanne Ominyi, the former High Commissioner of Nigeria to Zambia, conveyed the League’s condolences and affirmed Africa’s shared grief over the tragedy.
“While oceans may separate us, the deep historical, cultural, and ancestral bonds that unite Africa and the Caribbean are unbreakable,” the statement read. “The pain of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean is our pain. Their loss is our loss.”
The League announced the launch of a new initiative, “Hand of Friendship and Advocacy”, aimed at coordinating diplomatic and strategic support for affected nations.
The initiative aims to mobilise international assistance, amplify advocacy for relief efforts, and strengthen long-term partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean.
The LAA issued an urgent call to action to the international community, urging the United Nations, major humanitarian organisations, and specialised disaster response agencies to deploy emergency teams and provide immediate assistance.
The statement specifically highlighted the need for expert engagement from bodies such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Looking beyond emergency relief, the League proposed the creation of an Africa–Caribbean Partnership on Climate Resilience Initiative. This long-term framework would focus on joint advocacy for climate justice and financing, emphasising the shared vulnerability of African nations and Small Island Developing States to the worsening global climate crisis.
“Africa stands with you,” the statement declared. “Our solidarity is expressed through our diplomatic voice, our moral authority, and our commitment to ensure your call for help is heard and acted upon across the world.”
