Damage, losses and additional costs associated with the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October have increased.

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Dr. Wayne Henry indicates that figure now stands at nearly JA$2t (over US$12b).

Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe damage across six parishes, namely Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. James, St. Ann, Trelawny and Manchester, disrupting lives, livelihoods, economic, social, cultural and environmental systems.

Dr. Henry says the findings emerged from a comprehensive damage and loss assessment of the impacts caused by Hurricane Melissa, prepared by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, in collaboration with government of Jamaica ministries, departments and agencies.

The assessment outlines recommendations to guide the recovery process across all sectors.

Anchored in the principle of “build forward better”, these recommendations emphasize not only safer reconstruction but also the need to address underlying vulnerabilities, development gaps and chronic risk drivers.

Recovery efforts are structured across 3 phases: rehabilitation, resilient reconstruction and building long-term resilience.