What a difference a week makes! Last week, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica on October 28, the full scope and intensity of the devastation in the hardest-hit parishes—such as St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James—were still unclear. But over the past week, through countless images posted on social media, television reports, and direct contact with people on the ground, the apocalyptic nature of the destruction has been revealed with great pain, shock, and disbelief.
Thankfully, the response from the Jamaican diaspora and the wider international community has been swift and encouraging. Cash donations and supplies of every kind have been pouring into the island. But the big question is: how long will this support last? Traditionally, when natural disasters strike, there is an outpouring of generosity in the first few weeks. Then, as attention shifts elsewhere, assistance begins to wane as people move on with their lives or turn their focus to the next crisis.
The scale of devastation in Jamaica cannot be resolved with a few weeks or even months of short-term aid. It will take several months—and possibly years—to rebuild. Entire communities, including homes, businesses, schools, churches, clinics, hospitals, farms, roads, and communication systems, have been destroyed. In some areas, the damage is so extensive that entire communities may need to be relocated and rebuilt. Short-term relief, while deeply appreciated, will not be enough.
Jamaica’s challenge now is to develop a sustained plan that ensures long-term assistance to rebuild communities and secure livelihoods over the coming months. One of the most urgent needs is providing safe and secure shelter for the thousands who have lost their homes or whose houses are too badly damaged to inhabit until major repairs are completed.
What is the quickest way to provide safe shelter equipped with essential utilities such as electricity and water? Since constructing even temporary buildings will take weeks, it may be necessary to establish tent cities or negotiate with international partners for mobile homes. Whatever the decision, providing secure shelter will be costly and likely beyond the financial capacity of Jamaica’s public and private sectors. The country will need international assistance to supply housing and related resources for displaced Jamaicans.
Even after temporary housing is in place, widespread destruction of businesses—especially hotels and small rural enterprises—means unemployment will remain high in affected areas. Some people may find work in the rebuilding process, but thousands will still need ongoing food, medical, and financial support.
This is where the Jamaican diaspora can play a major role. Since organized efforts to mobilize the diaspora began in 2004, progress has been limited, with few tangible results. A key reason for this weakness is the absence of a unifying goal that motivates global Jamaicans to act collectively. The long-term rebuilding of communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa now presents that unifying purpose—an opportunity to transform the diaspora into a vibrant, organized source of sustained support for Jamaica in the months ahead.
One immediate goal for the diaspora should be to establish and competently manage a dedicated fund—preferably through a registered nonprofit organization—to attract ongoing donations for rebuilding efforts. Additionally, a database of skilled professionals within the diaspora should be created to identify those who can contribute expertise to restoration projects across Jamaica. Strong leadership, effective management, and transparent systems will be essential to this post–Hurricane Melissa initiative. Fortunately, the diaspora includes many capable individuals—they simply need to step forward. Time is of the essence to set this process in motion.
Although many Jamaicans now live abroad in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, their love for their homeland remains strong. Hurricane Melissa has forever changed a large part of the island they once knew, and the lives and livelihoods of thousands back home are now in jeopardy. It is time for Jamaicans in the diaspora to unite, rise to the challenge, and help restore the land we love. Sustained, coordinated effort is needed to rebuild the parishes devastated by Hurricane Melissa—and the diaspora can, and must, lead the way.
