CDEMA on the ground as Jamaica begins recovery from Hurricane Melissa

The Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is in Jamaica helping to coordinate recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa left widespread destruction across central and western parishes, including the southern town of Black River.

Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie confirmed that Executive Director of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, and her team are already in the country, working alongside the United Nations Disaster Response (UNDR) unit to assess the damage and support data collection.

Many buildings are completely destroyed.

“Regional support has been good. CDEMA is in the country and the head of CDEMA, Liz Riley, came in with a team from the UNDR,” McKenzie told Barbados TODAY.

“We met last night looking at ways they can help. They are also helping us in the data collection. We’ve been seeing a lot of regional support at the government level, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs is working on that. The region is coming to Jamaica’s assistance, and we are grateful.”

McKenzie toured Black River on Saturday, visiting municipal buildings, the fire station, and other government offices that were flattened by the storm.

“We recently spent millions of dollars upgrading the fire station, all of that has been wasted away,” he said. “One of the markets rebuilt under this administration is totally ruined, and the headquarters of the municipality no longer exists.”

The minister admitted he was “lost for words” as he surveyed the damage.

“Not even in the movies have I seen scenes such as this… and this is real,” he said.

Despite the devastation, McKenzie praised the outpouring of assistance from Jamaicans across the island.

“Hundreds of vehicles have been making their way into St Elizabeth with care packages, water, and supplies,” he said. “I’m urging persons to continue to come forward and assist in whatever way they can, Jamaicans here and overseas.” (SM)