UN calls for investment as western Jamaica rebuilds

According to a release from the United Nations, the organisation has worked alongside the Government of Jamaica since the storm made landfall, with the UN Central Emergency Response Fund releasing US$4 million within four weeks to scale up food, water, health and shelter assistance.

The World Food Programme's emergency operation reached more than 130,000 people before transitioning to cash assistance, while UNICEF and partners provided water and sanitation supplies to over 75,000 people. The International Organization for Migration distributed more than 14,000 tarpaulins for temporary shelter, and the Pan American Health Organization coordinated 17 emergency medical teams that delivered over 13,000 consultations and 390 surgeries.

The UN Development Programme launched the Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative in November 2025 with US$2.4 million in grants from the European Union, Australian Aid, the CARICOM Development Fund and UNDP. By April, 125 small businesses had received support, and in August nearly 200 residents cleared 2,000 tonnes of debris in two western communities, benefiting 19,000 people.

Yet despite these efforts, needs remain immense. During a recent visit to Black River, UN leadership witnessed the scale of recovery still required. While some shops have reopened, many business owners are struggling to resume operations. In one case, a once-popular supermarket now houses a grazing herd of goats.

Spencer Reuben, a 99-year-old Black River native whose properties were destroyed, said the storm reduced much of his life's work to rubble. "The damage is huge, I have never experienced anything like this," he said. "Looking forward to any support that can come from the government or other organisations like the United Nations."

Kadian Myers Brown, President of the Black River Chapter of the St. Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are still trying to find their feet. "We want to explore strategic partnerships with the UN and other bodies to get businesses moving. I want to see the economy of Black River thriving again," she said.

Market vendors also expressed concern. Shawna and Marie, who operate stalls in the Black River market, said the area remains a "ghost town" one year later, while fishmonger Miss Ann noted that customer traffic has not returned to previous levels.

Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, stressed that conditions are not "doom and gloom," noting that public services have largely returned to normal. However, he acknowledged that much work remains.

"One year on, the United Nations has delivered what it set out to deliver in the first phase of this response," Zulu said. "What we saw in Black River shows that there is still much work to be done, and we are ready to support interventions that help the private sector rise again, not just in Black River but in all affected areas."

Zulu praised the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority as a strong step forward in coordinating recovery efforts for both post-Melissa rebuilding and future emergencies.

With emergency relief now largely giving way to recovery, access to capital has emerged as a main obstacle. The UN is calling on donors, financial institutions and the private sector to support grants, credit and guarantees that allow small businesses and market traders in Black River and other affected towns to reopen.

The organisation has also supported the Government in developing a master spatial plan for Black River to reduce exposure to future hurricanes, flooding and storm surge, while the Food and Agriculture Organization is backing a US$50 million recovery and resilience programme for storm-hit farmers in St Elizabeth and other western parishes.