Storm damage hits 30% of Jamaica’s GDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reported that Hurricane Melissa left behind almost 5 million metric tons of debris across western Jamaica when it struck the island on 28 October.

Speaking at a virtual briefing on Thursday, Kishan Khoday, the UNDP’s resident representative for the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, said initial estimates suggest the damage amounts to roughly 30% of Jamaica’s GDP, with the figure expected to rise.

“This devastating hurricane left a trail of destruction across western and central Jamaica,” Khoday said.

“Our digital Impact Assessment platform, using AI-powered tools, shows nearly 5 million metric tons of debris – equivalent to about 500,000 truckloads.”

He explained that the debris includes 2 million tons from damaged buildings, 1.3 million tons of vegetation, and 1.4 million tons of personal property, describing it as “unimaginable destruction of forests and landscapes.”

Khoday said UNDP efforts will now focus on recovery planning, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), solar energy for community needs, debris removal, and ecosystem restoration.

Hurricane Melissa has battered Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba since late October, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. Local authorities report that at least 75 people have died in Haiti and Jamaica due to flooding and landslides.

In Cuba, where official figures have yet to be released, the United Nations estimates around 2.2 million people have been affected, with damage to 60,000 homes, 461 health centres, and 1,552 schools.

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