CARICOM leaders travelled across western Jamaica on Sunday in a show of solidarity following the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa. Heads of Government from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada and Guyana joined CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett and representatives of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, for a one-day visit on 17 November.
The delegation journeyed from Montego Bay to White House, Westmoreland, the epicentre of the storm’s impact, to witness the damage firsthand and meet affected communities.
Leaders described their presence as both symbolic and personal, noting that Caribbean nations routinely face similar disasters. They expressed confidence that Jamaica’s resilience would help the country recover and rebuild stronger.
Barbados pledged a field hospital, scheduled to arrive on Monday, along with additional garbage-removal trucks.
Guyana committed engineering support from the Guyana Defence Force for debris removal and rebuilding works, as well as 200 roofs to support housing repairs. Other CARICOM Member States and Associate Members have also pledged assistance.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness thanked his regional counterparts for their support, writing on Facebook that “Jamaica is grateful for the solidarity being shown and for the reassurance that we do not stand alone. Through partnership, unity, and shared purpose, we will rebuild our communities and strengthen our nation’s ability to withstand future challenges.”
The mission was supported by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and representatives of the Regional Security System (RSS).