Every December 18, International Migrants Day invites us to reflect on the journeys of millions who leave home in search of safety, dignity, and opportunity. For Jamaica and the Caribbean, migration is more than a statistic—it is a living story, woven into our history and culture. Yet, recent disasters have shown us that mobility is not always a choice, but often a matter of survival.The Human Face of DisplacementIn the past decade alone, the Caribbean has witnessed over 5 million new internal displacements due to disasters. Behind each number is a personal story—a mother seeking shelter for her children, a farmer rebuilding after losing ancestral land, a student striving to continue education despite upheaval. These stories are unfolding now in western Jamaica, where the shocking impacts of the climate crisis are a lived reality in every community.Hurricane Beryl struck Jamaica in July 2024 as a Category 4 storm. The Government of Jamaica estimated that Beryl had affected approximately 45,000 farmers in the southern parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth. More than 8,700 houses were damaged, forcing families to seek shelter and begin the long process of recovery.Barely a year later, Hurricane Melissa barreled into the southwestern coastline as a Category 5 storm, producing sustained windspeeds of 185 mph. Communities throughout western Jamaica were upended, some for the second time in two years. In Black River, an historic town and the capital of St. Elizabeth parish, government reports indicate that 90% of roofs were destroyed. The combination of sea surge, swollen rivers, and powerful winds left entire towns demolished. Across the western parishes, homes, businesses, and even officially designated hurricane shelters were torn apart. Ninety thousand families found themselves seeking shelter wherever possible.Five weeks after Melissa, more than 279,000 people remained displaced. The use of schools as emergency shelters—an established response in previous seasons — is now perhaps no longer a good solution, as widespread and severe physical damage is causing longer term displacement, disrupting education and highlighting a tension between urgent humanitarian needs and the right to learning. This mirrors challenges faced by neighboring Caribbean islands over the past decade.The resilience of physical structures and the need to “build back better” are urgent priorities, especially when entire communities have been impacted in ways that expose their vulnerabilities to multiple environmental impacts.The New Reality: Prolonged DisplacementToday, almost two months after Melissa’s impact on 28 October 2025, many displaced Jamaicans remain in limbo, their return home delayed by economic and infrastructural challenges. Beyond shelter, the challenges have multiplied. Land tenure issues have surfaced, complicating the resettlement of families and the rebuilding of lives. Debris management has stretched local resources, with roads and neighborhoods clogged by remnants of destroyed homes, trees, and infrastructure. Prolonged displacement is no longer an exception; it is becoming the norm for thousands of affected individuals, exposing gaps in our policies and preparedness.The psychological toll is also profound. Sudden displacement, exposure to traumatic events, and loss of homes and livelihoods have generated significant distress among affected populations. Children, women, older persons, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, and first responders are particularly vulnerable to anxiety, grief, and psychosocial fatigue. Existing mental health services in impacted parishes are limited, and community support structures have been disrupted. Emergency shelters urgently require targeted psychosocial outreach, safe referral systems, and community-based emotional support spaces to stabilize affected individuals and prevent escalation into long-term mental health conditions.Rethinking Policy and PlanningIt is clear that Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean must reconsider our policies and frameworks in light of these new realities. Climate mobility—addressing the movement of people due to environmental factors—must be integrated into national and regional planning. Regional organizations like CARICOM’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) have recognized this and are providing invaluable support, serving as hubs of regional knowledge and convenors of planning and action based on shared experiences.CDEMA and its 13 member states have recently concluded the process of developing a Regional Action Plan for Integrating Human Mobility into Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Programming across CARICOM. The International Organization for Migration’s new online course for policymakers, “From Risk to Resilience”, available for free on IOM’s E-Campus offers timely practical guidance and learnings from Caribbean and global experiences, helping leaders understand the complexities of climate-induced displacement and prepare fair, inclusive, and resilient responses.A Call to Action: Building a Fair and Resilient JamaicaJamaica stands at a crossroads. The time for incremental change has passed; bold, comprehensive solutions are required to safeguard our communities against future storms. We must ensure that our policies reflect the lived realities of displaced persons, support the recovery of affected families, and promote social cohesion in the face of adversity.This means investing in comprehensive approaches to preparedness, ensuring safe pathways, and protecting rights. It means strengthening the capacity of local service providers, volunteers, and community networks to deliver sustainable support and mitigate long-term negative psychosocial outcomes. It means integrating human mobility considerations and the displacement of people and communities into every aspect of national and regional planning, so that outcomes are fair, inclusive, and resilient.As we look ahead, let us commit to building a Jamaica that is not only prepared for the next hurricane, but is also a model of resilience, fairness, and inclusion for the entire Caribbean. By reimagining our approach to resilience and solidarity, we can ensure that no one is left behind, and that every Jamaican—regardless of circumstance—has the opportunity to rebuild, recover, and thrive. 

Current estimates place the total damage and loss between $8 billion and $15 billion – nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP), said Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.© UNICEFThe hurricane affected more than 626,000 people and claimed 45 lives, underscoring its profound human toll.Despite notable progress in recovery efforts, 90 emergency shelters are still up and running, accommodating nearly 950 people who have yet to return home.Communities left exposedEntire communities are still fully exposed, with at least 120,000 buildings – most of them in southwestern Jamaica – having lost their roofs, reported Mr. Zulu.Hurricane Melissa triggered “prolonged” and “cascading” disruptions to essential services, added the resident coordinator.“Western parishes were left without electricity for weeks on end.”In addition, many children remain out of school due to extensive damage to educational facilities.Approximately 450 schools, nearly two-thirds of all institutions nationwide, have reported significant impacts, including roof loss, structural failure, and other damages.Unprecedented scale of destructionThe tourism industry and agricultural production – once the cornerstones of Jamaica’s economy and major sources of employment – have suffered extensive damage, putting thousands of jobs and livelihoods at risk, adding further strain.“This scale of destruction has not only been unprecedented, but it has also really reversed hard-won development gains in a country that was firmly on a positive social and economic trajectory,” emphasised M. Zulu.Despite these challenges, the United Nations continues to work closely with the Government of Jamaica, national institutions, civil society, and international partners, delivering life-saving aid to the most vulnerable communities.Immediate priorities for recovery:Restore health services to safe and fully functional operating levels.Support the education sector, particularly as schools prepare to reopen.Assist in restoring essential community services for areas still without access.Contribute to the repair and reconstruction of homes, roads, and critical infrastructure.Restore livelihoods through targeted support to small farmers, fishers, and micro and small enterprisesStrengthen the agriculture sector to enhance food production, food security, and rural employment.Support the tourism sector as a key employer and source of foreign exchange to safeguard jobs and accelerate recovery.Ensure recovery efforts are inclusive, climate-resilient, and risk-informed, enabling Jamaica to rebuild stronger and better than before..............................................................................................This story was first published by UN News

In late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa made history as the first Category 5 storm on record to make landfall in Jamaica. It brought devastating winds, torrential rain, storm surge, and widespread flooding. In the western part of the country, roads were blocked, hospitals stopped operations, and most communities were left without power for several weeks. Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness described it as an "atomic bomb." According to the World Bank, Hurricane Melissa caused approximately $8.8 billion in direct physical damage—equivalent to over 40% of Jamaica's 2024 GDP. Broader economic losses, including business interruption, agriculture, and tourism, could exceed $20 billion, surpassing Jamaica's entire annual GDP.The death toll in Jamaica equals 45 confirmed deaths, with 15 individuals still missing. In Haiti, cascading hazards such as flash floods and landslides caused at least 43 confirmed deaths, with 13 people still missing. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in Cuba and The Bahamas. While Melissa's path swept across several Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Haiti, Cuba, The Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic, the outcomes varied widely, reflecting different levels of exposure, investment, and vulnerability. These consequences highlight the systemic nature of disaster risk, shaped by infrastructure vulnerabilities, inequality, and environmental degradation that accumulate over time.Hurricane Melissa exposed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and essential services. More than 80% of the population experienced power outages, and five major hospitals sustained severe structural damage, particularly in the southern and western regions, as reported by PAHO. Water and communication systems were also heavily affected, constraining access to health care and emergency response. The focus now is not only to recover what was lost but to build forward better and more resilient.Melissa has once again exposed the urgent need to build infrastructure with resilience at its core. According to the Infrastructure for Climate Action report, co-published by UNOPS, UNEP, and the University of Oxford, of the total global cost of climate change adaptation, infrastructure investments account for approximately 88%. Put simply, climate resilience depends primarily on how we build and upgrade our infrastructure.Jamaica did not wait for the storm to make landfall to take action. Days in advance, alerts were issued, evacuations were organized, and shelters were activated under the Government of Jamaica's direction. The coordinated approach across ministries and local authorities reflected strong governance and political will at the highest level, showing that when leadership is informed by science and guided by long-term vision, preparation becomes protection.This readiness reflects broader commitment. At the VII Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2021, Jamaica became the first country in the world to engage all its municipalities in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative. Through this effort, all 14 parishes have implemented the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, focusing on multi-hazard early warning systems, public health, and cultural heritage. It demonstrates that resilience must be grounded in local implementation, guided by measurable outcomes, and sustained by firm political will.Jamaica's commitment to prevention is also reflected in national policy. The Disaster Risk Management Law, passed in 2015, laid the legal foundation for risk identification, reduction, and response planning across sectors. Building on this, the National Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction Financing, launched in 2021, has strengthened financial resilience, increased budget allocation for disaster risk reduction, reinforced local capacity, and promoted the strategic use of risk reduction tools.These efforts are backed by data and international recognition. The 2024 Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (RAR24) highlighted Jamaica's leadership in integrating disaster risk reduction into public investment planning. Over 30% of DRR-classified funds are allocated to prospective risk management, well above the regional average. Budget allocations for disaster risk tripled after the creation of the National Disaster Management Programme, and the country shows a budget execution rate of 95%, among the highest studied in the RAR. Jamaica also maintains a national contingency fund, initially launched with $60 million and financed annually through the national budget, supporting prevention, mitigation, and risk transfer instruments like parametric insurance premiums.These risk transfer instruments are already delivering results. Payouts from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) and the catastrophe bond issued by the World Bank exceeded $240 million, the largest amount Jamaica has received to date. UN agencies, together with regional and international partners, have been supporting Jamaica's relief efforts. Coordination and local leadership have been decisive in orchestrating an effective response. UNOPS and UNDRR are focusing on supporting recovery and reconstruction assessments, with a view to restoring critical infrastructure and enabling resilient reconstruction.As Jamaica looks ahead, there is a valuable opportunity to consolidate lessons learned and identify ways to further strengthen early warning systems, critical infrastructure resilience for the most at-risk populations, and resilient recovery readiness. Because only what gets measured can be managed and strengthened, effective tracking of loss and damages across sectors is paramount to guide long-term improvements. Resilience is not built in isolation. It grows through cooperation, shared learning, and solidarity among nations. As the region begins to recover, this is the time to strengthen partnerships, align investments, and turn loss into a renewed commitment to protect lives and livelihoods across the Caribbean, building back better for a more resilient future.

As the Caribbean faces mounting challenges—from intensifying climate disasters to economic uncertainty—governments and UN partners will gather in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 10 December to chart a decisive path forward. The 2025 Annual Coordination Meeting (ACM) represents a key moment to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and shape the UN’s next phase of development support across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.Government representatives from 22 Caribbean nations, regional partners, UN agencies and the UN Development Coordination System will examine the key findings of the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022–2026 mid-term evaluation and the draft Multi-Country Analysis — essential inputs for the next cycle of UN cooperation in the Caribbean from 2027 to 2031. Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. The Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, said the country’s decision to host the 2025 ACM underscores its commitment to regional development cooperation.“This partnership between the UN System and our Governments has contributed to advancements in a number of key areas in our region,” Minister Swaratsingh said. “The Caribbean is moving to new ground in terms of more inclusive digital economies; innovative solutions for sustainable food production; data and digitisation for social protection; prevention of gender-based violence, as well as concretising steps towards a more sustainable and resilient energy supply. To navigate these successfully, a continued multi-stakeholder approach is important to foster inclusivity, ensuring that marginalised and vulnerable groups are prioritised in our developmental efforts.  The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago appreciates and continues to support the vital role which the UN’s programmes continue to play towards the ambition of an inclusive, sustainable and resilient Caribbean Region.”As global headwinds intensify — from climate vulnerabilities to economic shocks — the 2025 ACM offers a vital opportunity to adjust strategies and strengthen development cooperation that delivers concrete solutions to sustainable development challenges.For UN Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Suriname, Ms. Joanna Kazana, who is also the current chair of the UN’s Regional Steering Committee for the UN Cooperation Framework, coordinated, strategic approaches are a survival imperative for Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean.“This is the moment for decisive, collective action,” said Ms. Kazana. “Government counterparts are incredibly important in this ACM conversation because they tell us what's really working in terms of development cooperation with the UN system. They are going to come and tell us which areas are a priority, and this principle of national ownership is very, very important even if you have a regional cooperation framework. What the governments will also tell us is what are the priorities at the regional level, what are the joint outcomes they want to see for the Caribbean region, and what are the things that the UN system can do regionally.”ACM discussions will address cross-cutting, transformative themes such as food systems, gender equality, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity and data, social protection, disaster risk reduction, livelihoods and climate resilience. The 2025 ACM will build on previous deliberations by outlining a future-oriented perspective as the Caribbean enters the final quadrennium to achieve the SDGs by 2030.“Engagement with Caribbean government representatives during the ACM provides a critical opportunity to ensure that the UN Cooperation Framework and agency country programme documents and strategies continue to reflect government priorities – importantly, their gender equality policy and programmes,” said Head of Office a.i. for the UN Women Multi Country Office – Caribbean, Isiuwa Iyahen. “This way, we can ensure as a UN System, that no one, including women and girls, is left behind.”“From the ILO’s perspective, the ACM should deliver a clear, shared understanding of the priority areas where UN cooperation can have the greatest impact, particularly around decent work, resilience, social protection, migration, productivity, and inclusive growth,” said Deputy Director, ILO Decent Work Team and Caribbean Office, Noortje Denkers. “This clarity is essential for coherent programming, resource mobilisation, and coordinated technical support in the next UN Cooperation cycle.”The 10 December meeting date holds special significance, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. The ACM will conclude with a reception hosted by the OHCHR CARICOM Office to commemorate the occasion — a fitting reminder that sustainable development and human rights are inseparable pillars of the UN’s work in the Caribbean.Media ContactFor more information, contact Faine Richards, Development Coordination Officer (Programme Communications and Advocacy) at the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten at faine.richards@un.org