Jamaica grapples with recovery six months after hurricane melissa: aid slows, climate justice demands action

Six months after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, the island nation is facing a deepening crisis of rebuilding, with residents struggling to access aid and questions mounting about the pace of recovery. The storm, which struck in October, demolished homes and shattered lives, leaving communities reeling. While international assistance has flowed in, many are still waiting for promised payments and grappling with the long-term consequences of the disaster.

Slow aid, lingering trauma

“Before Hurricane Melissa I could have navigated life, figured things out. But since its passage, everything has just been turned upside down,” said Kerry-Ann Vickers, a mother of two who was three months pregnant when her home in Black River was destroyed. The experience has left her profoundly traumatized, and she worries about giving birth in an unstable home. Her story is echoed across St Elizabeth and other affected parishes, where thousands remain without secure shelter.

Kshema Gray, who fled her home in Success with her four children, recounted the terrifying experience of wind and rain ripping through her house, leaving her with nothing. Although food aid has been provided, she is still awaiting the funds to rebuild.

Financial hurdles and climate justice

The Jamaican government has disbursed $8.25 billion (£6.18 billion) in aid, but many residents report delays in receiving payments. “Payments are taking a while to get to residents,” said Andrea Purkiss, a Member of Parliament for Hanover, adding that assessments of damage have not been completed for everyone. The lack of adequate funding from global climate finance mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, has exacerbated the situation. “If I give you some context, we have $10bn worth of losses and damage [from Melissa],” said Environment Minister Matthew Samuda. “The Green Climate Fund for its lifetime has thus far dispatched around $19bn globally. The Loss and Damage Fund is a new funding mechanism, and the maximum that it can give to any one country under its construct is $20m. So it gives you an idea of the sort of gap.”

These financial shortfalls have reignited calls for a re-evaluation of climate justice. Human rights groups have long argued that colonialism and enslavement have created vulnerabilities to climate change, and the Loss and Damage Fund is seen by many as insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, first raised these concerns at the COP27 climate talks in 2022.

Diaspora mobilization

Despite the challenges, the Jamaican diaspora has stepped up, providing crucial support. Individuals and organizations in the UK have organized fundraising efforts, sending aid including tarpaulins, generators, and tools. A survey is underway to better align diaspora contributions with Jamaica’s development priorities. “As we got wind of the hurricane approaching Jamaica it was flying around lots of WhatsApp groups… how could we mobilize, thinking about economic and financial support, social impact, relief efforts?” said Nathaniel Peat, who chairs Jamaicans Inspired. The aid is increasingly focused on practical needs, such as hammers, saws, and nails, reflecting a shift towards long-term recovery.

On the ground, the need remains dire. In Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, Karene Salmon expressed uncertainty about when she could return to her damaged home, emphasizing the ongoing demand for help. Audley Feare, principal of Aberdeen High School in St Elizabeth, is witnessing the continuing need, highlighting the long road ahead. The spotlight is fading, but the reality of Jamaica’s struggle continues.

The country's recovery is not just a matter of rebuilding homes; it's about addressing systemic vulnerabilities exposed by the storm, and the world must respond accordingly.