Fifty days on, Jamaica struggles to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa’s unprecedented destruction

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Fifty days have passed since Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica, leaving behind an unprecedented trail of destruction. 

Current estimates place the total damage and loss between $8 billion and $15 billion – nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP), said Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

© UNICEF

The hurricane affected more than 626,000 people and claimed 45,000 lives, underscoring its profound human toll.

Despite notable progress in recovery efforts, 90 emergency shelters are still up and running, accommodating nearly 950 people who have yet to return home.

Communities left exposed

Entire communities are still fully exposed, with at least 120,000 buildings – most of them in southwestern Jamaica – having lost their roofs, reported Mr. Zulu.

Hurricane Melissa triggered “prolonged” and “cascading” disruptions to essential services, added the resident coordinator.

“Western parishes were left without electricity for weeks on end.”

In addition, many children remain out of school due to extensive damage to educational facilities.

Approximately 450 schools, nearly two-thirds of all institutions nationwide, have reported significant impacts, including roof loss, structural failure, and other damages.

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Unprecedented scale of destruction

The tourism industry and agricultural production – once the cornerstones of Jamaica’s economy and major sources of employment – have suffered extensive damage, putting thousands of jobs and livelihoods at risk, adding further strain.

“This scale of destruction has not only been unprecedented, but it has also really reversed hard-won development gains in a country that was firmly on a positive social and economic trajectory,” emphasised M. Zulu.

Despite these challenges, the United Nations continues to work closely with the Government of Jamaica, national institutions, civil society, and international partners, delivering life-saving aid to the most vulnerable communities.

Immediate priorities for recovery:

• Restore health services to safe and fully functional operating levels.
• Support the education sector, particularly as schools prepare to reopen.
• Assist in restoring essential community services for areas still without access.
• Contribute to the repair and reconstruction of homes, roads, and critical infrastructure.
• Restore livelihoods through targeted support to small farmers, fishers, and micro and small enterprises
• Strengthen the agriculture sector to enhance food production, food security, and rural employment.
• Support the tourism sector as a key employer and source of foreign exchange to safeguard jobs and accelerate recovery.
• Ensure recovery efforts are inclusive, climate-resilient, and risk-informed, enabling Jamaica to rebuild stronger and better than before.