Jamaica to Receive Additional US$4M In UN Cerf Support for Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Jamaica is set to receive an additional US$4 million from the United Nations (UN) Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to accelerate life-saving humanitarian activities in parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

The funding will be implemented through five UN-affiliated agencies – the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) – in close partnership with Government Ministries and Agencies, as well as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

This was announced by UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, Dennis Zulu, during a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery at Jamaica House on Wednesday (November 26).

An initial US$2 million in Resilient Recovery grants was mobilised by the UN to support Jamaica’s hurricane recovery effort.

Mr. Zulu noted that the additional US$4-million allocation represents a clear demonstration of global solidarity with Jamaica at a time of immense national need.

He emphasised that from the very onset, the UN has been working closely with national authorities to meet urgent needs.

“More than 145,000 Jamaicans have received assistance across multiple sectors. Over 45,000 people have benefited from emergency food support. Thirty-four thousand residents in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and Trelawny received food assistance through collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and WFP,” Mr. Zulu outlined.

He noted that more than 14,000 tarpaulins have been distributed by the IOM and partners to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Mr. Zulu further explained that the UN, led by UNICEF, has supported the distribution of more than 740,000 litres of safe water to improve access for families affected by the hurricane.

“Health services have been reinforced through the deployment of emergency medical teams, urgent medical supplies, temporary care facilities, and psychosocial support,” the UN Resident Coordinator added.

He pointed out that these achievements reflect a unified response coordinated through ODPEM and relevant Ministries, ensuring that assistance is data-driven, needs-based and nationally led.

Mr. Zulu emphasised that the latest allocation from the UN is intended to scale up the work already under way across the island.

“Its purpose is very clear – to meet immediate humanitarian needs, protect vulnerable populations, and support the rapid restoration of critical services,” he detailed.

Mr. Zulu explained that through the allocation, the IOM will provide emergency shelter and non-food items to 8,800 of the most vulnerable people in Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, and Trelawny, with priority given to last-mile delivery for families whose homes and possessions were destroyed.

“WFP will provide cash-based assistance to 10,756 beneficiaries, supporting hurricane-affected households in priority parishes to meet their food and essential needs. UNICEF will lead the water and sanitation and hygiene response, reaching over 220,000 people with safe water, restoration of water supply systems, hygiene and sanitation support,” he stated.

Mr. Zulu said the additional funding will enable PAHO and WHO to support continuity of essential healthcare for 600,000 people, including the provision of medical supplies, urgent repairs to health facilities, deployment of emergency medical teams, and delivery of mental health and psychosocial services.

He reiterated that the CERF funding builds on substantial work already undertaken by the UN system, including prepositioned emergency supplies, rapid assessments, medical deployments, logistical assistance, and ongoing technical support to national authorities.

“Beyond this immediate response, the United Nations is primed through the over 22 agencies in Jamaica to support the recovery effort. As Jamaica transitions from immediate relief to early recovery, we will continue to work hand in hand with the government authorities, development partners, private sector, civil society and, indeed, affected communities,” Mr. Zulu affirmed.

The Central Emergency Response Fund, the United Nations’ global emergency fund, is designed to provide rapid, impartial, and targeted assistance when crises strike.

Drawing contributions from member states, the private sector, and individuals, CERF enables the UN to immediately deploy life-saving resources in the critical first days following a disaster.