Long road to recovery after Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica is beginning the long and challenging process of recovery after Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction across the island.

Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie warned that the road ahead will be difficult, but reassured Jamaicans that the government is fully committed to helping those affected.

"It is not going to be an easy road, Jamaica. We have seen the extent of the damage," McKenzie said. "It is going to take a lot of time. I know that person's patience is not going to last for much longer," he added.

The minister emphasised that while the government is prepared to do everything possible to speed up relief, protocols and accountability remain critical.

"While we are prepared to do everything to accommodate speedy response, we also have to be mindful of the of the protocols that exist and the fact that we have to be accountable and we don't want to be accused doing anything that is not within what the law requires us to do," he stated.

McKenzie acknowledged the uncertainty many Jamaicans face, saying that people are waking up each day wondering what their future will look like.

"As I said yesterday, the government is here. We are committed," he said.

With shelters now accommodating more than 25,000 Jamaicans, McKenzie made it clear that no shelter would be closed this week and urged shelter managers and disaster coordinators to prioritise those displaced. Relief supplies are being staged and will be sent to affected communities as soon as they are accessible.