Mon | Feb 23, 2026

UK relief flight with diaspora support lands in JA

Published:Saturday | February 7, 2026 | 12:05 AM
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (right), Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, and her team in discussion with Nathaniel Peat (left), GJDC UK Rep and Jackson Smith, CEO of Fantasy Wings, following the arrival in Jamaica of the diaspora-le
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Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (right), Jamaica’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, and her team in discussion with Nathaniel Peat (left), GJDC UK Rep and Jackson Smith, CEO of Fantasy Wings, following the arrival in Jamaica of the diaspora-led relief flight from the UK.

LONDON: A relief flight to Jamaica from the UK arrived last month, delivering nearly three tonnes of essential supplies to vulnerable communities across St Elizabeth and surrounding parishes which were affected by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The initiative was co-organised and led by Jackson Smith, CEO of Fantasy Wings; Nathaniel Peat, entrepreneur and Global Jamaica Diaspora Council UK South Representative (GJDC UK); and Angela Clarke, UK director of RAFFA International Development.

A release from the organisers of the airlift initiative noted that the structured engagement was supported between UK-based Jamaican diaspora partners, Jamaican government ministries, and international stakeholders.

This included high-level meetings and ongoing coordination to ensure alignment between diaspora-led humanitarian efforts and national response priorities.

The initiative also benefited from strengthened institutional links with the British High Commission in Jamaica. Through engagement led by Peat, discussions were held with Alicia Herbert, OBE, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, focusing on trade, diaspora engagement, and strengthening collaboration between the Jamaican diaspora community in the United Kingdom and partners in Jamaica. These discussions included briefing on the relief flight and its wider objectives, reinforcing transparency, and institutional support.

The mission was made possible through the logistical support of IAG Cargo, DHL, British Airways, and the British Airways World Community Fund, whose commitment enabled the safe and efficient transportation of critical humanitarian supplies at no cost.

The shipment was formally received by Alando Terrelonge MP, state Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Marlon Brown, ODPEM Regional Coordinator on January 17.

Following the successful delivery, the initiative was further acknowledged at a high-level post-mission meeting with Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica.