Sherry Perrier | Rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa: A call for strategy, action, accountability and unity

Jamaica is facing one of the most challenging periods in its modern history, with Hurricane Melissa causing damage equivalent to more than 40 per cent of GDP.

The effectiveness of recovery will depend not only on funding, but on the strength of strategic financial planning, decisive action, accountability and a united national response. Jamaica now has an opportunity to demonstrate world-class resilience through disciplined strategy and execution.

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING: FOUNDATION OF A RESILIENT AND FASTER RECOVERY

Strategic financial planning provides the roadmap for national rebuilding. Jamaica must adopt a structured recovery framework that prioritises high-impact infrastructure, aligns each funding source to the appropriate project and balances urgent needs with long-term fiscal health.

Financial planning is not only about budgeting – it is about preparedness, risk mitigation and ensuring that households, businesses and government systems can absorb shocks and rebound quickly.

Jamaica must deepen its use of climate-resilient budgeting, expand disaster-risk forecasting tools and strengthen reconstruction financing for households and SMEs. Equally, strong financial literacy in communities is now essential. When families understand how to prepare for emergencies and how to strategically manage limited resources after a disaster, national resilience improves significantly.

The question now is how long it will take Jamaica to recover from this destruction, as while the immediate response is urgent, planning for the months ahead strategically is also critical, considering that projections indicate that dangerous climate events will become more frequent and severe.

SPEED, RESPONSIVENESS AND EXECUTION

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has reinforced the importance of rapid response – both operationally and financially. Faster execution reduces the long-term economic impact, limits secondary losses and accelerates national stabilisation.

To support quicker response, Jamaica should strengthen emergency procurement processes, digitise verification and claim workflows, and expand pre-approved financing arrangements that can be activated within hours rather than days.

A resilient Jamaica is one that can mobilise resources quickly, eliminate bottlenecks and place support directly into the hands of affected citizens and businesses without delay.

BUILDING ECONOMIC RESILIENCE ACROSS ALL SECTORS

The scale of the damage demands more than restoration – it demands transformation. Jamaica must fortify its economic backbone, especially in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

SMEs, the lifeblood of the economy, suffered significant losses and will require recovery grants, low-interest loans and technical support to restart operations.

Jamaica’s disaster risk-financing framework performed impressively, delivering immediate resources such as the Catastrophe Bond payout of US$150 million along with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and other mechanisms. These instruments demonstrate the power of advanced financial planning, but rebuilding requires coordinated execution to ensure funds translate into real outcomes for communities.

Hurricane Melissa caused damage exceeding 40 per cent of GDP (US$8.8 billion), far surpassing Jamaica’s US$150 million World Bank catastrophe bond, which along with all the donations received, still covers only a small share of what the country needs to rebuild. Building long-term resilience requires innovative financing tools and coordinated sector-wide support.

Jamaica can expand the use of diaspora bonds, leveraging the strength of its global community to raise affordable capital dedicated to infrastructure, SME recovery and climate-resilient projects.

International development partners – including multilateral banks, climate funds and bilateral agencies – also play a critical role in providing concessional financing, technical assistance and rapid-disbursement emergency support.

ACCOUNTABILITY: STRENGTHENING PUBLIC TRUST

Effective recovery hinges on accountability, oversight and transparent execution. Enhanced audit mechanisms, stronger public–private partnerships and responsible use of resources help strengthen credibility and accelerate external support. Jamaicans must have confidence that recovery decisions place the country’s long-term well-being above short-term interests. Integrity in governance builds trust – both at home and among global development partners supporting Jamaica’s rebuilding.

VISIBILITY: MAKING RECOVERY CLEAR AND INCLUSIVE

Visibility ensures that Jamaicans can track and understand progress. Public dashboards, real-time reporting and clear timelines allow citizens to remain engaged and informed. Transparency fosters unity and strengthens accountability.

UNITY AS THE FOUNDATION OF RECOVERY

Above all, a unified approach – across communities, government, the private sector and the diaspora – is essential to accelerating national recovery. The international community regards Jamaica as a resilient, innovative nation capable of rebuilding with excellence. The question now is whether as Jamaicans together united believe in the nation with the same confidence.

This moment calls for national pride, discipline, a collective belief in the ability to emerge stronger and a shared commitment to rebuilding stronger together. With strong financial planning, decisive action, disciplined governance and unwavering unity, Jamaica will rise stronger.

- Sherry Perrier is a Finance and Business Professional. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com