UNDP estimates that nearly five million metric tons of debris have been generated across western Jamaica following last week’s devastating Category 5 storm, equivalent to approximately 500,000 standard trucks.
Death toll and destruction
In addition, authorities have confirmed 32 deaths, while almost 36,000 people urgently need food assistance and more than 100,000 housing structures have been affectedsaid UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
At least 30 communities remain cut off, while in some parishes electricity, telecommunications and even radio signals remain severely disrupted.
Khoday told the story of a man he met named Keith, from New Hope in western Jamaica, who had sought shelter in a nearby structure when Melissa made landfall, kneeling behind plywood for hours as the storm raged.
When he emerged, he found his home, his livelihood and parts of his community in ruins. Their experience underscores the harsh realities of the climate emergency, the senior UNDP official said, but was also a testament to the resilience of Jamaicans as they work towards recovery and reconstruction.
The UN mobilizes aid
More than 60 different organizations have joined the 16-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team – part of the UN relief coordination office OCHA – as the relief operation continues under the direction of the Jamaican authorities.
To support response and recovery efforts, UNDP has allocated an initial sum of $400,000 to assist with basic assessment work and provide early support to national partners.
Meanwhile, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is airlifting food from Barbados to sustain more than 6,000 households for up to a week, the UN says.
Communities remain isolated
In Cuba, although it also suffered devastation along with Haiti due to the hurricane, around 120,000 people remain in shelters due to continued flooding, river overflows and landslides.
The UN reports that 29 communities remain isolated with extensive damage to homes, health facilities and educational centers.
More than 45,0000 housing structures, nearly 500 health facilities and more than 1,500 educational centers were also damaged, Haq said.