United Nations in the Caribbean

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the Earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. The United Nations in the Caribbean is supporting delivery on all 17 goals:

Learn more

Take Action

24 October 2025

Explore Interactive Map of the UN in Latin America and the Caribbean

Launched to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, this interactive map allows users to explore the organisation's presence and impact across Latin America & the Caribbean.

1 of 2

Story

20 February 2024

Decide to join the United Nations as a UN Volunteer

You can decide to change the lives of others while changing your own as a United Nations Volunteer (UNV). Volunteering for the UN is a full-time commitment to peace and sustainable development with a UN agency, fund or programme, in your country or abroad. RIGHTS AND BENEFITSThe United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme encourages broad and inclusive participation, and as such ensures a variety of benefits to secure a basic standard of living while serving as a UN Volunteer. Benefits include: Monthly living allowance Medical insurance (including dependents) Annual leave (2.5 days per month served) Learning opportunities Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities Travel allowance for international UN Volunteers See more on the UNV Conditions of Service : https://bit.ly/UNV-COS PROFESSIONAL PROFILESBuild on your professional experience and knowledge - whether in development, emergency response, education, health, environment, communications, social work and much more. ASSIGNMENT TITLESSome of the most popular volunteer assignment titles are: Field Officer (in a wide variety of areas) Community Development Officer Communications Officer Protection/Human Rights Officer Monitoring & Evaluation Officer MAIN PARTNERSAs a UN Volunteer you can serve with the following UN entities, among others: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) International Organization for Migration (IOM) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) World Food Programme (WFP) In 2022, over 2,500 UN Volunteers served with over 30 UN partners in Latin America and the Caribbean! LEAVING NO ONE BEHINDThe UNV programme is committed to representing the diversity of the world's societies. If you are a person with disabilities, a member of the LGTBQ+, afro-descendant or indigenous communities, or any other minority, you are encouraged to apply. CATEGORIESAssignments are offered into four volunteer categories, which determine eligibility: Expert: candidates must be at least 35 years old and have more than 15 years of professional experience. Specialist: candidates must be at least 27 years of age and have at least 3 years of professional experience. Youth and University: candidates must be between 18 and 26 years of age, and no previous professional experience is required. Community: No previous professional experience or academic requirements needed but must live in the community they serve. Before applying, we recommend carefully reading the specific requirements of your selected assignment. DECIDE TO APPLYRegister in UNV’s Unified Volunteer Platform: app.unv.org, complete your professional profile and apply to vacancies NOW. When filtering vacancies, verify the volunteer category (Expert, Youth, etc.) you fit in and define whether to volunteer in your country or abroad. UN Volunteer opportunities reflect the evolving needs of UN agencies, funds and programmes. We encourage you to visit the UNV platform regularly, so as not to miss any opportunity. VOLUNTEER ONLINEWith the Online Volunteering service, you can undertake volunteer tasks for up to 20 hours a week and for a maximum of 12 weeks with different United Nations entities, governments, public institutions and civil society organisations. As the Online Volunteering service is a free time commitment, selected individuals are not under contract with the UN Volunteers programme or the host entity. As such, Online Volunteers are not eligible for the entitlements and benefits stipulated in the Conditions of Service. Their contribution is recognised with a certificate. Know more here: https://www.unv.org/become-online-volunteer

1 of 2

A UN Volunteer works at a compute rin an office setting

Story

18 December 2025

Reimagining resilience and solidarity: Jamaica at a crossroads

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.

1 of 5

Story

12 December 2025

Resilience is not built in isolation. It grows through cooperation, shared learning, and solidarity

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.

1 of 5

Dalila Gonçalves, Regional Director, United Nations Office for Project Services, Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean (left) and Nahuel Arenas, Chief of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional office for the Americas and the Caribbean (right).

Story

03 December 2025

Trinidad to host UN-Caribbean Summit charting path to 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

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

1 of 5

Story

02 December 2025

UN Jamaica mobilises US$4 million in emergency support for Hurricane Melissa recovery

Four weeks after Hurricane Melissa decimated several communities in western Jamaica, the United Nations has confirmed additional funding of US$4 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to enable four UN agencies to scale up relief efforts on the ground.This was announced by UN Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu, during a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House on Wednesday, 26 November.Mr Zulu told his audience that, in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s unprecedented impact, the UN has stood firmly with the Government and people of Jamaica. “Today, we mark another important milestone in our collective response and I am, therefore, pleased to confirm approval of an extra US$4 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to accelerate life-saving humanitarian activities across the hardest-hit parishes,” he added.The CERF allocation will be implemented through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) – in close collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and relevant government ministries and agencies.Describing the US$4 million allocation as a “clear demonstration of global solidarity with Jamaica at a time when needs are immense”, Mr Zulu said that, from the onset of the emergency, the UN has been working closely with national authorities to support immediate needs and had deployed a coordinated package of assistance across the hardest-hit parishes. He also acknowledged the leadership of the Jamaican Government, as well as ongoing partnerships with national authorities, global partners and first responders, whose work he described as “nothing less than extraordinary”.“More than 145,000 Jamaicans have received assistance across multiple sectors. Over 145,000 Jamaicans have benefited from emergency food support. Thirty-four thousand residents in the parishes of Westmoreland, St Elizabeth and Trelawny received food assistance through collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the WFP,” the UN Head said, adding that IOM, together with the Government, NGOs and community partners, had distributed over 14,000 tarpaulins to families in need, including those in marooned communities.He further noted that the UN, led by UNICEF and in collaboration with other partners including Water Mission International and Global Support Development, had distributed over 740,000 litres of safe drinking water to families. UN support to the health sector included the deployment of emergency medical teams, establishment of urgent health-care facilities, and mental health and psychosocial services, alongside protection efforts across affected communities. “Across all these efforts, the UN coordination system has worked hand-in-hand with ODPEM and relevant ministries, ensuring that assistance is data-driven, needs-based and nationally led. This partnership remains central to our collective recovery,” Mr Zulu maintained.He emphasised that the CERF allocation builds on ongoing work by the UN Development System and would allow four key UN agencies to scale up and sustain targeted humanitarian interventions. He explained that these include providing critical relief supplies, supporting emergency shelter needs, and restoring access to basic services and the most critical needs in the hardest-hit communities.IOM, he said, will provide emergency shelter and non-food items for 8,800 of the most vulnerable people in Westmoreland, Hanover, Saint James and Trelawny, prioritising last-mile delivery to families whose homes and possessions have been destroyed. “WFP will provide cash-based food assistance to 10,756 beneficiaries, supporting hurricane-affected households in priority parishes to meet their food and essential needs. UNICEF will lead the water, sanitation and hygiene response, reaching over 220,000 people with emergency safe water, restoration of water-supply systems, and hygiene and sanitation support,” he added.Mr Zulu further indicated that, through this mechanism, PAHO/WHO will support the continuity of essential health care for 600,000 people, including the provision of medical supplies, urgent repairs to health facilities, deployment of emergency medical teams, and provision of mental health and psychosocial services.While reaffirming the UN’s solidarity, the UN Head stressed that support would continue beyond immediate relief, with a focus on recovery through the collective efforts of 22 UN agencies. “As Jamaica transitions from immediate relief to early recovery, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with government authorities, development partners, the private sector, civil society and, indeed, affected communities,” he assured, noting that the challenges ahead are immense and that rebuilding will require sustained effort over years.The UN’s global emergency fund was designed to enable rapid, impartial and targeted assistance when crisis strikes. It pools contributions from Member States, the private sector and individuals, allowing the UN to deploy resources immediately to save lives in the critical first days.

1 of 5

Dennis Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Jamaica and The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands

Story

26 November 2025

One Storm, One People, One Love: Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

When Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean in late October, it left Jamaica’s south-west coast shattered, claiming 45 lives and affecting almost 1.6 million people. From Savanna-la-Mar to Black River, the devastating storm splintered trees, ripped off roofs and brought down walls as winds surged past 250 km per hour.“Even large structures couldn’t stand up to it,” said Rogerio Mobilia, who led the OCHA team that quickly deployed to Jamaica. “Communities look like a war zone – people walking through the rubble trying to find where their homes once were.” In Watercress, Westmoreland Parish, the winds flattened nearly every home and stripped the hillsides bare. Kemeisha, 45, stood beside what used to be her home.“I remember Gilbert,” she said, recalling the legendary 1988 hurricane that struck when she was a child. “But this? Nothing like it. Everything’s gone. Now eight of us staying at my sister’s place, a little one-room that was also damaged.”At Savanna-la-Mar’s Sir Clifford Campbell Primary School, groundskeeper Trevolyn, 57, walked through the yard where pieces of roofing lay scattered. “Devastating, man. Real hard,” he said, shaking his head."People still in shelter, they don’t go home as yet because the whole construction of them building blow right down. We haven’t seen any of the students since.” The hurricane destroyed more than 450 schools across Jamaica. Many are still without power or safe classrooms to return to.“Infrastructure, homes, livelihoods – everything has been affected,” said Dennis Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica. “We’re working with the Government and partners to respond and help Jamaica recover from this unprecedented devastation.”The west bore the brunt of Melissa’s category 5 winds, but the hurricane’s reach was national. In Hellshire and Greenwich Town, near the capital, Kingston, years of erosion from past hurricanes left fishing families exposed as Melissa battered seafood stalls and wrecked docks.“My roof is gone,” said Junior, 67, speaking with regional assessment teams from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). “I have to either fix that or my fishing gear to keep providing.”The massive response from the Government of Jamaica, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, CDEMA, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Jamaica Red Cross, UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups reflects the solidarity and scale of effort, and the coordination required to work together. “There’s an influx of partners supporting the response,” said Brenda Eriksen, OCHA Information Management Officer. “There’s a lot of information, so we’re working to understand where they are, what they’re doing and what they’re observing, to see where there may be gaps in response.”Working with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team and standby partners MapAction and Atlas Logistique, OCHA first set up a Kingston-based coordination hub. It then lay the groundwork for a field coordination hub in western Jamaica, mapped access constraints and cut-off communities, and convened sector working groups.Scientists say climate change is fuelling the devastation that communities now face. Research from World Weather Attribution and Imperial College London found that storms as intense as Hurricane Melissa are now several times more likely in the Caribbean’s warmer climate. Melissa’s timing is striking – the UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, is taking place in Brazil as the world inches closer to breaching the 1.5°C warming limit, and as the need for adaptation and climate finance for countries on the front lines grows more urgent.Some of the more fortunate communities are beginning to piece back their lives.Charmaine, 56, works at a small Savanna-la-Mar hotel. She lost her home and now shares a room with eight coworkers. “We are grateful because we still have something,” she said. “But everybody got hit, some worse than others. Some people are just recovering from [Hurricane] Beryl, so there’s no easy fix.”The OCHA-managed UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF) allocated US$4 million to scale up life-saving assistance in coordination with the Government and partners. In Watercress, Loi stood beside the wreckage of her small roadside bar, now picked over for anything salvageable. She spoke of the desperation driving people to search the debris for supplies, but she was focused on rebuilding.“I don’t know what comes next, but I have to recover to keep taking care of my family."You can help people affected by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti receive urgently needed food, water, healthcare and more. Donate ........................................................................................................This story was first published by UN OCHA.

1 of 5

View all

Press Release

24 November 2025

UNDP mobilizes initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants for Jamaica

The new grants have emerged on the heels of a recent surge mission to Jamaica by UNDP’s global and regional crisis response and recovery teams, working with UNDP’s Multi-Country Office in Jamaica to identify national and local needs through consultations with government, civil society, private sector, multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, and local communities in critically affected areas. This process benefited from the lead role of Mr. Ronald Jackson, UNDP Global Head of Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery and Resilience.UNDP’s offer is designed to help stabilize affected communities, restore livelihoods of vulnerable groups and support national authorities and key sectors in Jamaica’s ‘Building Forward Better’ vision, integrating resilience at every step.At the national level, UNDP is offering support to Jamaica’s long term recovery planning and governance along with some key data to support it – post hurricane national impact assessments, focusing on a root cause analysis and human impacts“Crises can be opportunities to build forward better,” said Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative in Jamaica. "To this end, we offer to enhance institutional capacities and systems for recovery, and to integrate climate-resilient, risk-informed and nature-based solutions into recovery planning. Future plans can also embrace the role of geospatial and digital tools and aim to make development assets future proof in an era of more frequent and severe climate disasters.”UNDP’s offer targeting community stabilization includes clean up and management of debris – estimated at 4.8 million metric tonnes across impacted areas – as well as recycling opportunities through cash for work modalities ensuring income for jobless residents and easier access to affected communities by national relief teams, he explained.It also prioritizes support for the recovery of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and community livelihoods. UNDP will provide grants and hands on technical support to MSMEs to restore their facilities, connect to markets and access sustainable finance solutions such as loan guarantees, low-interest credit and other instruments.UNDP will also support solar power, resilient re-roofing and other critical community infrastructure needs. Additionally, based on previous experience in the aftermath of category five hurricanes in 2017 in Dominica and 2021 in The Bahamas, mobile and community-based Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) will provide on-the-spot advice to affected communities, combined with resilience grants to help communities integrate resilient methods into their build back process, ensuring better odds to weather future storms.“These storms are no longer ‘once in a lifetime’. They are becoming the new baseline. Even countries that plan well are being tested by hurricanes more powerful, unpredictable and punishing than what our systems are perhaps built for, said Ronald Jackson.This initial UNDP Resilient Recovery grant assistance of USD 2 million for Jamaica builds on UNDPs immediate crisis response allocations, and generous contributions from the CARICOM Development Fund and the European Union.Grant assistance of an additional USD 8 million is also being considered, through the realignment of resources from UNDP’s ongoing development programmes in Jamaica. These funds will support nature-based and climate-resilient recovery in the tourism sector, capacity development for ecosystem restoration and integrated land management in western regions of Jamaica and support civil society organizations for building long-term resilience of communities and ecosystems.Dr Khoday said, "Hurricane Melissa was the strongest climate induced disaster to hit Jamaica in modern history, and supporting a resilience-based approach to recovery for affected communities is not just smart. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) it is also a matter of justice, as countries face mounting loss and damage from the global climate emergency. Building on our 50-year presence in Jamaica and as part of a coordinated UN system-wide effort, UNDP stands in solidarity with the government and people of Jamaica, to deliver our part in achieving Jamaica’s vision for a resilient recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” he indicated.Jamaica was struck by category five Hurricane Melissa on 28 October, sustaining loss of life and livelihoods, and catastrophic damage to buildings, infrastructure, forests, agricultural fields, coastal ecosystems and socio-economic assets across the western regions of the island.
****
Media contacts For more information or to request an interview, contact:
In Kingston: gillian.scott@undp.org
Panama: vanessa.hidalgo@undp.org
In Geneva: sarah.bel@undp.org
In New York: dylan.lowthian@undp.org and aimee.brown@undp.org
About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our extensive network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.

1 of 5

Press Release

28 October 2025

UN and CBU Launch SDG Champion Media Award

This new category, introduced through a partnership between the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Office and the CBU, aims to celebrate journalistic excellence that drives sustainable development and inspires meaningful action. Eligible countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.Speaking during a recent media webinar, CBU President Anthony Greene emphasized the media’s pivotal role in advancing the SDGs, both professionally and personally. “We help those who can influence the achievement of the SDGs to understand why they should lend their resources and efforts to this cause,” Greene noted. “But as media, we are not just instruments to be used by others. We also need to appreciate that the SDGs are for us as well as residents of developing countries and territories, and as the media and communications sector.” Kenroy Roach, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, expressed hope that the award would deepen collaboration between the UN and regional media: “We know we work well together on many fronts, but hopefully this can be another pillar in our very strong collaboration.” Roach also reminded participants that the SDGs, adopted by 192 Member States in 2015, represent a global commitment:“It is important that we recognize that the SDGs are not only a UN agenda, but also the countries’ agenda. It is the leaders of the world who came together and recognized the need for urgent action for people and planet.”
The recent webinar also provided valuable technical insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their significance for the region, and effective approaches to SDG storytelling.Jabari Fraser, Public Information Officer at ECLAC Caribbean, in his session “Why the SDGs Matter,” encouraged journalists to guide their editors in distinguishing between what is important and what is urgent. He emphasized the value of considering the broader context and conducting thorough research to produce stories with lasting impact.Meanwhile, Martina Donlon, Chief of Climate and Sustainable Development at the UN Department of Global Communications, presented on “What’s a Great Story about the SDGs?” She highlighted the importance of focusing on science and solutions, and inspiring action by addressing the three W’s: What, Why Care, and What Now?Sonia Gill, CBU Secretary General, offered journalists an overview of the new SDG Champion Award categories, criteria, and rules. She noted that eligible entries should connect the Global Goals to real people’s lives, communicate complex issues—such as climate change or inequality—in clear, accessible language, and foster an environment where the SDGs are actively championed. She further emphasized that content should be data-driven, solution-oriented, and, where possible, inspire action. Entries for the 37th Annual CBU Media Awards will open in late November 2025 and close at midnight (ECT) on February 28, 2026. Nominees will be announced in June 2026, with the awards presentation scheduled for August 2026. For further information, journalists are invited to view the recent Media Webinar via this link, and for competition rules and entry details they can visit the CBU website at http://www.caribroadcastunion.org / or email cbumediaawards@caribroadcastunion.org when the Call for Entries is issued next month. To Learn MoreFor further information please contact:CBU via email : info@caribroadcastunion.orgUNRCO via email : carol-ann.gaskin@un.org

1 of 5

Press Release

27 October 2025

United Nations stands in solidarity with Jamaica amidst the impacts of Hurricane Melissa

The hurricane has brought with it devastating winds, life-threatening storm surges, and torrential rainfall, posing a significant threat to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the island.In anticipation of the storm’s impact, the United Nations system in Jamaica, under the leadership of Resident Coordinator Mr. Dennis Zulu, is working in close coordination with the Government of Jamaica and national emergency response agencies to bolster preparedness and response efforts.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is actively supporting regional coordination efforts and has deployed staff to Jamaica to strengthen emergency preparedness and facilitate effective response operations.Key UN agencies are mobilizing critical support as follows:World Food Programme (WFP) is providing essential logistics support, including the deployment of generators to ensure continuity of critical services.United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pre-positioned water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies, along with materials to support child protection and psychosocial care.Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is reinforcing national health emergency operations and ensuring readiness of medical facilities.International Organization for Migration (IOM) is preparing shelter support for displaced populations and vulnerable communities.United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are mobilizing resources for early recovery, food security, and protection of women, girls, and other at-risk groups.The UN remains committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica in addressing immediate humanitarian needs, including emergency shelter, access to clean water, hygiene supplies, and logistical support to reach affected and isolated communities.The United Nations reiterates its unwavering commitment to the people of Jamaica during this challenging time and will continue to work hand-in-hand with national authorities and partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response.For media inquiries, please contact:
Maxsalia Salmon
Partnership and Development Finance Officer
Email address: maxsalia.salmon@un.orgCUG: 876-509-007

1 of 5

Press Release

13 October 2025

IOM Chief highlights record disaster displacement and calls for resilience funding

Geneva, 13 October 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urging greater investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building efforts, warning that intensifying disasters and climate impacts are driving record levels of displacement and demand a decisive shift in global financing priorities. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) takes place under the theme Fund Resilience, Not Disasters, a call to redirect resources from costly response to proactive prevention and preparedness. “We must reaffirm a simple but urgent message: fund resilience,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at risk. The choice is ours. We can continue to fund disaster response or we can invest in resilience. This is the message IOM will take forward as we work with partners to ensure climate and disaster financing reflects the needs of people on the move.”In 2024 alone, nearly 46 million people were displaced by disasters, the highest number ever recorded. Despite this, disaster risk reduction efforts remain severely underfunded. Most governments allocate less than 1 per cent of their budgets to prevention, while international assistance continues to decline.
IOM is urging governments, donors, and the private sector to scale up investments that reduce the risk and impact of disaster on displacement and strengthen resilience for vulnerable communities. This means integrating human mobility into risk-informed development and climate finance, ensuring that communities can adapt, relocate safely, or rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes.Looking ahead to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), IOM will advocate for disaster and climate risk reduction to be at the heart of climate finance negotiations, in line with the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group and the outcomes of the Financing for Development Conference. Through innovative tools such as the Risk Index for Climate Displacement and the Climate Catalytic Fund, IOM aims to demonstrate how predictive analytics and community-driven finance can target hotspots, prevent displacement, and protect development gains.
For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.

1 of 5

Press Release

11 September 2025

United Nations Supports Staging of 2025 WIFA Regional Women’s Football Tournament

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter, we reaffirm the UN’s founding principles of peace, dignity, and equality, anchored in a vision of inclusive development and empowerment. This is exemplified in women's active participation in sports, where every woman and girl has the right to lead, compete, and thrive.“The Caribbean is a collection of communities, of which sport is a vital component. This is critical as sport can drive social change through promoting fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for everyone,” said Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.One year after Hurricane Beryl, Caribbean islands have shown extraordinary strength. Sports, and football in particular, have remained a cornerstone of the Caribbean community, bringing people together, lifting spirits, and helping communities heal. The United Nations is pleased to partner with the WIFA Women’s Tournament, which will also serve as a powerful platform for women and girls to lead, inspire, and play ball!“This event is more than a competition; it is a symbol of resilience, unity, and recovery," said Isiuwa Iyahen, Head of Office a.i. UN Women Multi-Country Office - Caribbean. “As we approach Beijing+30, your dedication on this field reflects how far we have come and reminds us of the journey ahead to secure equal opportunities for women and girls in all arenas, including sports. To each athlete here, your strength and skill are not only breaking barriers in football but also inspiring a new generation of women leaders, proving that true progress happens when women are visible, valued, and victorious—on and off the pitch."As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the most comprehensive and transformative global agenda for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, we are encouraged in the fact that this tournament exemplifies its key priorities. These include, creating a space where women lead on and off the field, amplifying women’s voices in decision-making, and creating access to equal opportunities for growth, education, and visibility. The UN team remains committed to supporting member states to further accelerate efforts towards achieving gender equality.UNESCO’s International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport, also recognizes a fundamental right to physical education, physical activity and sport, including at all supervision and decision-making levels. It further specifies that “equal opportunity to participate … is the right of every girl and every woman that must be actively enforced.” Global evidence shows that sport has the capacity to propel gender equality, mobilize the global community, and bridge national barriers and cultural differences. It is also a powerful advocacy tool to convey important messages to mass audiences. To every woman, girl, and supporter involved in this important tournament, your participation goes beyond the scoreboard. It is a bold statement that equality, resilience, and unity will define our future. Every match played is not only for a trophy, but for a promise of a bright future for every girl in the Caribbean.As our region rebuilds, investing in women and girls in sports is an investment in stronger, fairer, and more resilient communities. Media Contacts:La Fleur Cleopatra Quammie (Ms)UN Country Coordination Officer - St. Vincent and the Grenadines / Gender Equality Focal PointUnited Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office Kingstown, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesMobile: +1 784 534 8099 / +1 784 530 8602Email: lafleur.quammie@un.org Sharon Carter-Burke
Communications Analyst
UN Women Multi Country Office - Caribbean
UN House, Marine Gardens
Hastings, Christ Church, Barbados
Tel: +1 246 467 6000 Ext 6124Email: sharon.carter-burke@unwomen.org

1 of 5

View all