Caribbean recovery efforts continue one year after Hurricane Melissa

One year after Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, Caribbean nations continue to face significant rebuilding challenges.

In Jamaica, the government is working to address a housing deficit estimated at 150,000 units. The administration has committed to delivering 70,000 housing solutions, with the National Housing Trust (NHT) tasked with 42,000 of them. The crisis was exacerbated by the hurricane, which damaged roofs on approximately 120,000 structures, affecting roughly 90,000 families. Challenges to meeting these targets include shortages of contractors, labor, and technical skills.

In southern Haiti, the impact of the storm included severe flooding and landslides that destroyed infrastructure, including clinics, schools, and roads. In Petit-Goâve, flooding of the La Digue River resulted in 43 deaths and numerous missing persons. Humanitarian efforts have focused on mitigating post-storm health risks such as waterborne illnesses and ensuring the availability of essential medications to combat cholera and other diseases.