The hurricane affected more than 626,000 people and claimed 45,000 lives, underscoring its profound human cost.
Despite notable progress in recovery efforts, there are still 90 emergency shelters in operation, housing nearly 950 people who have not yet returned to their homes.
Exposed communities
Entire communities remain totally exposed, and at least 120,000 buildings (most of them in southwestern Jamaica) have lost their roofs, Zulu reported.
Hurricane Melissa caused “prolonged” and “cascading” disruptions to essential services, the resident coordinator added.
“Western parishes were left without power for weeks.”
In addition, many children still do not go to school due to extensive damage to educational facilities.
Approximately 450 schools, nearly two-thirds of all institutions nationwide, have reported significant impacts, including loss of roofs, structural failures and other damage.
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 is not only unprecedented, but has also reversed the hard-won development gains in a country that was firmly on a positive social and economic trajectory,” emphasized 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 vital aid to the most vulnerable communities.
Immediate priorities for recovery:
- Restore health services to safe and fully functional operating levels.
- Support the educational sectorparticularly as schools prepare to reopen.
- Help restore essential community services. for areas still without access.
- Contribute to repair and reconstruction. of housing, roads and critical infrastructure.
- Restore livelihoods through specific support to small farmers, fishermen and micro and small businesses
- Strengthen the agricultural sector to improve 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.allowing Jamaica to rebuild stronger and better than before.