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Jamaica Secures Up to $6.7bn in Multilateral Support for Three‑Year Hurricane Melissa Recovery

03:47 AM, 12/02/2025
Jamaica Secures Up to $6.7bn in Multilateral Support for Three‑Year Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Jamaica has secured up to $6.7 billion from multilateral lenders to finance a three‑year reconstruction plan after Hurricane Melissa struck in October. The package includes up to $3.6 billion in government financing, with the CAF, IDB and World Bank each pledging up to $1 billion. Melissa caused roughly $10 billion in damage — about 30% of GDP — dumped around 76 cm of rain and produced nearly five million tonnes of debris. The recovery effort will combine finance, technical support and resilience measures to rebuild and reduce future disaster risk.

Jamaica has secured up to $6.7 billion in support from a coalition of international lenders to fund a three‑year reconstruction and recovery program after Hurricane Melissa struck the island in October.

The funding comes from several multilateral institutions, including the CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB) Group. Up to $3.6 billion of the package is designated as government financing, with the CAF, IDB and World Bank each pledging up to $1 billion.

Funding, priorities and approach

The partners said the package combines a range of financial instruments and technical support to help Jamaica restore critical infrastructure, clear debris, rebuild homes and strengthen resilience to future storms. The recovery plan emphasizes long‑term investments and ‘‘building forward better’’ to reduce vulnerability and improve disaster preparedness.

“Recovery will require significant resources and long‑term investments. Comprehensive recovery planning is already underway, focusing on critical priorities and reinforcing Jamaica’s resilience,” the institutions said. “By combining robust financial instruments, technical guidance, and a shared commitment to building forward better, Jamaica is well‑positioned not only to restore what was lost but also to strengthen its resilience to future disasters.”

Impact of Hurricane Melissa

Melissa was one of the most powerful storms to hit Jamaica in more than 170 years. It produced catastrophic flooding and landslides after dropping around 76 cm (30 inches) of rain in some areas. Damage has been estimated at roughly $10 billion — about 30% of Jamaica’s gross domestic product, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

The storm generated nearly five million tonnes of debris, blocking roads and disrupting access to basic services across affected communities. One week after the storm, the official death toll in Jamaica stood at 32 people.

Next steps

Authorities and development partners will now move into implementation: prioritizing emergency relief, debris removal, rebuilding damaged infrastructure and scaling up measures to protect communities from future climate shocks. Continued coordination between the government and multilateral lenders will be critical to ensure funds are used efficiently and that reconstruction strengthens resilience for the long term.

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