UN Says Nearly a Third of Jamaica’s Annual Wealth Wiped Out By Hurricane Melissa

UNITED NATIONS – The top United Nations development official in the region says nearly a third of Jamaica’s annual wealth has been wiped out by Hurricane Melissa.

Kishan Khoday, Resident Representative for the UN Development Program (UNDP), told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, via video conference, that approximately 1.5 million Jamaicans have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa – the worst climate disaster in the Caribbean nation’s history. 

He said initial estimates of the damage added up to 30 per cent of Gross Domestic Product: “a figure that’s expected to rise.” 

UNDP estimated that nearly five million metric tons of debris have been generated across western Jamaica following the devastating category 5 storm last week – equivalent to roughly 500,000 standard truckloads.

In addition, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said authorities have confirmed 32 deaths, while nearly 36,000 people urgently require food assistance, and more than 100,000 housing structures have been affected. 

The UN said at least 30 communities are still cut off while electricity, telecommunications and even radio signals remain severely disrupted in some parishes. 

The UN said Khoday told the story of one man he’d met called “Keith”, from New Hope in western Jamaica, who had sought shelter in a nearby structure as Melissa made landfall, kneeling behind plywood for hours as the storm raged. 

“When he emerged, he found his home, livelihood, and parts of his community in ruins,” the UN said. 

Khoday said Keith’s experience underscores “the harsh realities of the climate emergency, but was also a testament to Jamaicans’ resilience as they work toward recovery and rebuilding.” 

The UN said more than 60 different organizations have joined the 16-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team – part of the UN aid coordination office OCHA – as the aid operation continues under the direction of Jamaican authorities. 

To support response and recovery efforts, the UN said UNDP has allocated an initial US$400,000 to assist with basic assessment work and provide early support to national partners. 

Meanwhile, the UN said its World Food Program (WFP) is airlifting food from Barbados to support more than 6,000 households for up to a week. 

In Cuba – which also suffered devastation, along with Haiti, due to the hurricane – the UN said around 120,000 people remain in shelters due to ongoing flooding, overflowing rivers, and landslides.

The UN also said that 29 communities remain isolated with extensive damage to housing, health facilities, and educational center

Haq said more than 45,0000 housing structures, nearly 500 health facilities and over 1,500 educational centers have also sustained damage in Cuba.