In Jamaica, recovery efforts are underway after Hurricane Melissa — the most powerful storm ever to hit the island — left a trail of devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Parliament that damage is estimated between six and seven billion US dollars, or nearly one trillion Jamaican dollars — about a third of the nation’s GDP. At least 32 people have died in Jamaica, while neighboring Haiti has reported 43 deaths and 13 missing after days of torrential rain and flooding. Entire communities remain cut off as roads and bridges were destroyed, and key sectors like agriculture and tourism have been severely hit. Over 2,000 hotel workers are out of jobs, and thousands of homes and farms have been damaged. The government has announced housing and mortgage relief, tax exemptions for relief imports, and recovery grants for affected parishes. Holness emphasized that every rebuilding effort must focus on climate resilience to withstand future storms. He also urged Jamaicans to help each other and support the hardest-hit communities.
Hurricane Melissa, experts say, is a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change across the Caribbean.
