Jamaica Rebuilds After Devastating Category 5 Hurricane Melissa

In October 2024, Jamaica was struck by Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to ever hit the island. The Category 5 hurricane made landfall on October 28th, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Entire communities were reduced to rubble, with the western part of the country, known as the "breadbasket," bearing the brunt of the devastation.

The hurricane's impact on Jamaica's economy has been catastrophic. Prime Minister Andrew Holness estimates the damage to homes and key infrastructure to be equivalent to 28 to 32 percent of the country's gross domestic product in 2023. This represents a staggering loss of between $6 billion to $7 billion, a conservative estimate. The short-term economic output is expected to decline by 8 to 13 percent.

Rebuilding Jamaica will be a long and arduous process. Satellite imagery shows that 80 percent of roofs in western Jamaica have been destroyed, and the country's infrastructure, including drainage systems and roads, was already in poor condition before the storm. Humanitarian organizations, such as the International Federation of Red Cross, have mobilized to provide aid, including blankets, cleaning kits, and shelter tool kits. However, concerns remain about the ability to rebuild homes and communities in a way that can withstand future hurricanes exacerbated by climate change.

The western part of Jamaica, the island's agricultural heartland, has been particularly hard hit, with crops and the poultry industry severely damaged. This raises the risk of a food crisis, which could lead to social unrest. Jamaican icon Rohan Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, has expressed concern about the potential for such unrest, echoing his father's words: "Them belly full, but we hungry. A hungry mob is a angry mob."

Despite the daunting challenges, the people of Jamaica remain resilient. Humanitarian organizations and the international community are working to support the country's recovery and reconstruction efforts, with the goal of building a more climate-resilient future.