House Observes Minute of Silence for Lives Lost During Hurricane Melissa

The House of Representatives observed a minute of silence in honour of the lives lost during the passage of Hurricane Melissa during its sitting on Tuesday (November 4).

The category-five system that made landfall on October 28, 2025, was the strongest storm to hit the island in recorded history.

The torrential rains, storm surges and catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction with 32 confirmed deaths, to date.

In paying tribute, Speaker of the House, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, said that the memories of those who perished will remain woven into the fabric of the national story.

Mrs. Holness said that amidst the tragedy of the hurricane, the resilience, strength, and sense of community that define the true spirit of Jamaica continues to shine through.

“Across the island, citizens have reached out to one another with generosity and resolve offering shelter, comfort and hope. It is these moments of shared hardship that we are reminded that Jamaica’s greatest strength lies not in our resources but in our unity and compassion as a people,” she noted.

“The days ahead will not be easy; rebuilding will test our endurance and our resolve, but if there is one thing history has taught us is that Jamaicans do not shrink from adversity; we rise to meet it. We will face this challenge together as representatives, as neighbours and as one people. Let us, therefore, lead with coverage and act with purpose, knowing that the strength we show now will define the generations to come,” she said.

Mr. Holness expressed gratitude for the resounding response from the international community and for the tireless efforts of national agencies, first responders, and volunteers across the island who continue to serve with courage and care.

She called on persons to support the recovery efforts by donating to the official website, supportjamaica.gov.jm.

“Together we will recover, together we will rebuild and together we will emerge as a stronger Jamaica,” Mrs. Holness said.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, assured that there will be an accurate account of the number of deaths that are related to the passage of the Category five hurricane.

“People have resorted to burying … we will recover all bodies even if we have to exhume and we will go through a process of proper identification and where possible, determination of death. The science is there to do it, and we will do it. We have to account for every Jamaican who lost their life,” he said.

“We have to account to their families as well and we have to get a full understanding of the impact of the disaster. So, we have some forensic teams here and they are already starting to do the forensic checks on the bodies they have recovered,” Dr. Holness told the House.