🇯🇲 A Crisis of Historic Proportions

Jamaica has been declared a “disaster area” by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, with the island now facing “devastating impacts” in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

• Category 5 Catastrophe: Melissa made landfall as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, bringing 185 mph winds and gusts up to an estimated 200 mph (322 km/h) in mountainous regions a level of destruction that could cause “total building failures.”
• Widespread Devastation: The storm has swept away livelihoods. Heavy floodwaters have submerged communities, including the vital agricultural region of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica’s “breadbasket,” which is now “underwater.” Winds have torn roofs off buildings, and critical infrastructure has been crippled by landslides, fallen trees, and numerous power outages.
• The Urgent Need: As the people of Jamaica wake up to assess the full scale of the damage, they are immediately grappling with the need for shelter, clean water, food, and medical attention. The cleanup and recovery will be slow and monumental.