Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage in Jamaica, destroying homes, schools, roads, and hospitals, and displacing many families. The recovery process is expected to require considerable time and resources.
In Kingston, community members have come together to support those affected by the hurricane. Local authorities and volunteers have been active in delivering essential supplies and providing assistance. This response reflects a longstanding tradition of solidarity in the Caribbean during times of crisis.
A notable difference this year was Jamaica’s level of preparedness. The country benefited from years of investment in resilience measures. Within days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the Jamaican government received a US$91.9 million payout from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), which provided immediate funds for early disaster response. Additionally, Jamaica accessed a US$150 million disbursement from its catastrophe bond arranged with support from the World Bank.
These rapid financial responses are part of a broader regional strategy developed over more than a decade. Caribbean countries now use various financial tools—including deferred drawdown options, emergency response components, insurance schemes, and catastrophe bonds—to ensure access to funding at different stages of a crisis. This approach has created a more predictable system for managing shocks.
Governments in the region are also working to improve risk governance by integrating climate considerations into national budgets and strengthening fiscal frameworks to support faster recovery and sustainable reconstruction efforts.
Institutional capacity has become another priority area. Investments in data platforms for hazard tracking, early-warning systems that reach larger populations, and improved coordination among agencies are helping countries prepare operationally as well as financially.
There has been a shift toward including climate and disaster risks in national planning and development strategies across the Caribbean.
Despite these advances, ongoing work is needed to address growing risks. Three key priorities have been identified: increasing private-sector involvement in resilience financing; ensuring maintenance of resilient infrastructure; and enhancing disaster-risk data collection along with early-warning systems through regional platforms such as CDEMA’s hazard-monitoring network and the OECS Environmental Information System.
The commitment to rebuilding is strong throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Efforts continue to focus on improving preparedness so that future storms can be met with greater strength and unity.