PIOJ Director General Highlights Threats Facing Small Island Developing States

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Jamaica, continue to face a range of threats that highlight their inherent structural vulnerabilities.

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, made the observation while contributing to the country’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) during the seventh session of the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held recently in New York.

He noted that while Jamaica has recorded significant gains under its long-term development agenda, recent shocks and challenges have tested the country’s resilience.

“In July 2024, Category Four Hurricane Beryl claimed lives, caused injuries, and resulted in damage estimated at US$362 million, the equivalent of 1.9 per cent of the previous year’s GDP (gross domestic product),” Dr. Henry said.

The Director General further noted that Jamaica’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl and the infrastructure damage caused by Tropical Storm Rafael were compounded by the impact of Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which devastated sections of western Jamaica in October 2025.

“The associated damage and loss are estimated at US$12.3 billion or 56.7 per cent of GDP in 2024,” he said.

Dr. Henry highlighted the alarming increase in storm activity, noting that while only 39 named storms passed within 200 kilometres of Jamaica during the 59-year period from 1960 to 2019, 11 did so between 2020 and 2025 alone, representing a 238 per cent increase.

“This year, we may only be spared from a devastating hazard due to the overwhelming heat pressure of the El Niño system, which brings its own associated challenges, including drought,” the Director General added.

Dr. Henry said despite these challenges, Jamaica’s decade-long implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been centred on strengthening resilience.

“As a small open economy, fiscal buffers have continuously been built to cushion shocks. A mix of innovative financing instruments, multilateral support, and debt management now support a robust disaster risk financing framework,” he stated.

The Director General noted that development partners responded swiftly following Hurricane Melissa, mobilising a US$6.7-billion package over three years to provide direct government support, technical assistance and private-sector investment.

“This represents an expression of confidence in domestic governance and financing frameworks. But its insufficiency underscores the need for special financing instruments which address climate and disaster vulnerabilities at the scale and scope needed,” Dr. Henry further stated.