Terrelonge urges Jamaican diaspora to support hurricane recovery
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with responsibility for diaspora affairs, Hon. Alando N. Terrelonge, delivers the keynote address at the opening of the second Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday, October 23, 2026. Photo by Derrick Scott.
Key Points(5)
- Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando N.
- Terrelonge has called on Jamaicans overseas to play a greater role in rebuilding the island after Hurricane Melissa, urging professionals, entrepreneurs and investors to support reconstruction and strengthen the country's long-term economic and climate resilience.
- He said Hurricane Melissa had underscored the need for a coordinated national recovery effort and highlighted the importance of mobilizing the expertise, resources and international networks of Jamaicans living abroad.
- The conference, held October 23-24 under the theme “One Diaspora, One Vision: Advancing Jamaica Together,” brings together government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors, educators, health care professionals and community leaders to discuss ways to support Jamaica's development.
- He encouraged diaspora entrepreneurs, engineers, architects and other professionals to explore opportunities to contribute their expertise to reconstruction and resilience projects.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando N. Terrelonge has called on Jamaicans overseas to play a greater role in rebuilding the island after Hurricane Melissa, urging professionals, entrepreneurs and investors to support reconstruction and strengthen the country's long-term economic and climate resilience.
Addressing more than 300 delegates at the opening of the second Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia on Friday, Terrelonge outlined opportunities for diaspora involvement in housing, renewable energy, electricity and water systems, climate-smart agriculture, logistics, digital services and tourism.
He said Hurricane Melissa had underscored the need for a coordinated national recovery effort and highlighted the importance of mobilizing the expertise, resources and international networks of Jamaicans living abroad.
The conference, held October 23-24 under the theme “One Diaspora, One Vision: Advancing Jamaica Together,” brings together government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors, educators, health care professionals and community leaders to discuss ways to support Jamaica's development.
Reconstruction and resilience
Terrelonge said the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) and the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (Jamrock) were scheduled to begin operations on November 1, 2026, as part of efforts to establish a more structured approach to post-hurricane rebuilding.
He encouraged diaspora entrepreneurs, engineers, architects and other professionals to explore opportunities to contribute their expertise to reconstruction and resilience projects.
The government is also examining ways to make it easier for Jamaicans overseas to participate in national development by reducing institutional barriers to trade, investment, business and philanthropy, Terrelonge said.
Other measures under consideration include improved access to investment opportunities and greater diaspora participation in advisory boards, knowledge-transfer programs and policy committees.
He said the objective was to establish sustainable partnerships that extend beyond immediate hurricane relief and contribute to Jamaica's long-term development.
Terrelonge warns of climate change threat
The minister also warned that climate change posed a serious threat to Jamaica, particularly because of the island's exposure to coastal hazards.
He noted that 82.1% of Jamaica's population lived within five kilometers of the coastline, leaving communities and economic activities vulnerable to rising sea levels, warming oceans and damage to beaches and coastal areas.
“Climate change is an existential threat,” Terrelonge said.
He called on Jamaicans overseas to use their influence and professional networks, particularly in the United States, to advocate for stronger international action on climate change and greater recognition of the vulnerabilities facing Jamaica and other island nations.
Terrelonge said reconstruction offered an opportunity to strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience and adopt more sustainable approaches to development.
Jamaica's economic outlook after Melissa
Terrelonge also addressed Jamaica's economic position following the hurricane, pointing to the country's debt levels, international reserves and growth projections as indicators of its capacity to navigate the recovery.
He said Jamaica's debt-to-gross domestic product ratio had declined from a high of 144% about a decade ago to 62.4% before the hurricane, and now stood at approximately 70% despite the disaster's devastation.
He also cited positive outlooks from international credit rating agencies Moody's and S&P Global Ratings and said Jamaica's international reserves stood at US$6.64 billion.
According to Terrelonge, the Bank of Jamaica projected real gross domestic product growth of between 1% and 3% for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, despite the challenges posed by the hurricane and global financial uncertainty.
“I would rather have 1% growth than minus 2% growth every day,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positive economic growth as Jamaica rebuilds.
Terrelonge said the forecast reflected expectations of a return to quarterly economic growth between October and December 2026, supported by recovery across key sectors, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica.
Diaspora contributions support recovery
Terrelonge acknowledged the diaspora's substantial contribution to Jamaica's recovery, noting that Jamaicans overseas sent home US$3.12 billion in remittances during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
He said remittance inflows increased following Hurricane Melissa, with an additional US$93 million sent home during the three months immediately after the disaster compared with the corresponding period a year earlier. December 2025 recorded a monthly high of US$296 million.
The minister said the diaspora's contribution extended beyond remittances to include professional expertise, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and support for public services.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Adopt-a-Clinic program, through which diaspora support has helped improve primary health care, and agricultural projects aimed at strengthening domestic production and reducing dependence on food imports.
The conference also looked ahead to Jamaica's 65th anniversary of Independence in 2027. Terrelonge invited Jamaicans overseas to participate in the official celebrations scheduled for August 5-8 under the theme “Celebrate, Connect, Experience, Give Back.”
The opening session featured Jamaica's Ambassador to the United Nations, Brian Wallace; Consul General of Jamaica in New York Oliver Mair; and Lishann Salmon, chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C.
The conference is being organized under the leadership of Michelle Tulloch-Neil, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council representative for the Northeast United States. It builds on the inaugural Northeast Diaspora Conference, held in Philadelphia in 2025.
