News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has welcomed the announcement of a major recovery and reconstruction package of up to US$6.7 billion from Jamaica’s international development partners, following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The package, assembled by CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank Group (WBG), includes emergency response financing, sovereign loans, grants, and private sector investments over the next three years. Prime Minister Holness expressed appreciation for this demonstration of international partnership, noting, “This coordinated support will allow Jamaica to recover stronger, rebuild smarter, and accelerate relief to our people. Jamaica has a strong recovery plan, and the commitment of these institutions to stand with us at this critical moment will significantly advance and expedite our recovery.” The announcement precedes a high-level call Prime Minister Holness will hold with representatives from the international financial institutions to discuss implementation of the package. Immediate Response Support Jamaica’s strong disaster risk financing framework enabled an immediate flow of liquidity to address urgent response needs. Combined with the Government’s own contingency resources, the country secured US$662 million shortly after the hurricane, comprising:…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness convened the National Security Council (NSC) on November 27, 2025 to discuss the security environment post-Hurricane Melissa. The Prime Minister received updates on its impact on the nation’s security architecture, infrastructure and security personnel affected. The Ministry of National Security and Peace, Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), have all mobilized to support affected staff and repair damaged infrastructure to ensure full service to the public. The security forces assess that despite significant damage, there was no material security threat or breakdown in public order and that they were able to contain and control isolated incidents without the use of emergency powers. The Jamaica Customs Agency highlighted that there was a significant increase in goods and materials entering the country, primarily due to the relief effort. Appropriate measures were implemented to ensure the relief items were handled efficiently and securely. As a result, the JCA reported that four firearms were detected and recovered in containers coming in as aid from private consignments. One person is in custody and investigations continue. Prime Minister Holness is cautioning persons sending relief items to Jamaica not to include…

At yesterday’s Special Hurricane Melissa Recovery Press Briefing, the National Housing Trust (NHT), an agency of the Office of the Prime Minister, provided an update on a comprehensive package of disaster relief initiatives to support Jamaicans whose homes and livelihoods were affected by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. In keeping with the Prime Minister’s national recovery directive, the NHT’s measures are designed to provide rapid shelter solutions, facilitate home repairs, ease financial pressures on mortgagors, and help contributors rebuild stronger, more resilient homes. The initiatives include: Moratorium on NHT Mortgages Rapid Deployment Housing Initiative Peril insurance claims under the Homeowners’ Comprehensive Policy Hurricane Relief Loan (Special Home Improvement Loan) Disaster Relief Grant Moratorium on NHT Mortgages To ease immediate financial pressures on affected households, the NHT is implementing a temporary suspension of mortgage payments for qualifying mortgagors whose income or properties have been adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa. This moratorium covers all components of the mortgage (principal, interest and Insurance). An automatic six-month moratorium, from November 2025 to April 2026, will apply to eligible mortgagors in the seven worst-affected parishes (St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny and St Ann) and other designated heavily impacted areas as determined by NHT assessments. Mortgagors covered by the…

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), an agency of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, has announced the launch of the M5 Business Recovery Programme, a J$10 billion intervention designed to restore operations, rebuild capacity and sustain enterprise continuity following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica’s productive sector. This programme follows directives from Prime Minister, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness. The M5 Business Recovery Programme will provide concessional loan financing, grant support and credit enhancement solutions to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and other productive businesses that suffered losses and disruptions as a result of the hurricane. J$1 billion is immediately available for deployment through approved financial institutions (AFIs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs). The J$10 billion programme will be deployed over an 18-month period through, using a blended funding model: Government of Jamaica – J$3 billion in Q4 of the 2025/2026 financial year. Government of Jamaica – J$7 billion disbursed over the 2026/2027 financial year, to be on-lent through the DBJ. This structure is designed to front-load relief in the immediate recovery phase, while sustaining support as enterprises move into medium- and longer-term rebuilding. “Hurricane Melissa was a major humanitarian disaster and social tragedy. The…

“What Jamaica faces today is the recurring story of vulnerability experienced by Small Island Developing States across the Caribbean. One external shock can undo years of progress. The global community must recognize that resilience requires sustained partnership.”- Prime Minister Holness   Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness today reaffirmed Jamaica’s commitment to advancing an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient model of economic growth, while urging global leaders to strengthen financial and development frameworks to protect vulnerable economies. Delivering remarks during Session One of the High-Level Dialogue on Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, held under the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Building Our Economies, The Role of Trade, Financing for Development and the Debt Burden,” Prime Minister Holness outlined both Jamaica’s progress and the harsh realities that Small Island Developing States continue to confront. The Prime Minister emphasized that Jamaica’s national development story is rooted in social partnership, long-term vision, and historic sacrifice. He noted that over the last decade, Jamaica has transformed its economy through disciplined macrofiscal reforms, responsible debt management, institutional strengthening, and targeted initiatives designed to stimulate growth. These reforms the Prime Minister says, have significantly reduced the national debt-to-GDP ratio, lowered unemployment and poverty levels, stabilized…

Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley the Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects today announced the formation of the Technology Recovery Task Force, a time-bound, public-private coordination body mandated to restore, secure, and modernise technology-enabled public services in the parishes most affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Task Force will drive a unified recovery and resilience agenda across emergency services, health facilities, schools, government offices, and community access points, initially prioritising Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, and St. Ann, with national coordination from Kingston. The focus is simple: stabilise services quickly, harden cyber and network infrastructure, and build back smarter. The Task Force will be chaired by Minister Wheatley. It will coordinate offers and donations of equipment, connectivity, software platforms, cybersecurity tooling, engineering resources, and training to eliminate duplication to accelerate impact. All contributions will be aligned to national standards and security requirements, based on an approved delivery roadmap. Transparent governance will include frequent status reporting and a public progress dashboard. “This is about restoring services Jamaicans rely on in these affected areas, and building back smarter and more resilient than before,” said Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley.…

As part of the Government of Jamaica’s ongoing series of Post Hurricane Melissa relief operations, several Ministers of State travelled across communities in Western Westmoreland, Central Westmoreland, and North West St. Elizabeth on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to distribute urgent relief supplies and assess recovery needs. The relief packages included food packages, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, mattresses, and blankets, along with other critical items to support families whose homes and livelihoods were disrupted. The Honourable Zavia Mayne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, and the Hon. Delroy Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, led distribution efforts in Mint Road and Crowder Road in Western Westmoreland. The Ministers engaged with residents, assessed on the ground conditions, and assured communities of the Government’s commitment to swift recovery efforts. The Honourable Delano Seiveright, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and the Honourable Rhoda Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information delivered relief supplies to several communities across Westmoreland, including Lambs River, Ramsay Corner, Cover Road, Lomas, and Charles Mount in Eastern Westmoreland, as well as Hertford, Fort William, and Williamsfield in Central Westmoreland.…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has welcomed the continued partnership between Jamaica and the United States, following the announcement of an additional USD $10 million in humanitarian assistance to strengthen Jamaica’s recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The announcement came today during a meeting between Prime Minister Holness and Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, Jeremy Lewin, who led a U.S. delegation to Jamaica to assess the country’s ongoing relief operations. Prime Minister Holness expressed deep gratitude to the United States for its unwavering support and swift response in the wake of the disaster, noting that the U.S. has now provided a total of USD $22 million in assistance. “Let me welcome Under Secretary Lewin and his team to Jamaica and immediately say thanks on behalf of the people of Jamaica for the support that you have given, which have now increased from 12 million U.S. dollars with an additional 10 million U.S. dollars, which will go right into the humanitarian relief and support effort.” Dr. Holness highlighted that several U.S. heavy-lift helicopters were deployed to transport critical supplies and personnel to marooned communities, enabling timely delivery of food, water, medicine,…

The Government of Jamaica through the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT) yesterday issued guidance to help households, schools, clinics, and small businesses safely deploy Starlink satellite internet systems as communities restore connectivity following Hurricane Melissa. The advisory focuses on physical safety, theft prevention, power protection, and cybersecurity best practices to keep people securely online. “Connectivity is a lifeline in recovery,” said Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects. “We urge Jamaicans using, or about to use, Starlink to follow these simple steps to ensure that the connections are reliable, resilient, and safe for families and critical services.” Key actions for the public: Pick a safe spot: Clear view of the sky, solid mount, not in flood areas. Seal any holes where cables enter. Protect the power: Use a surge protector or UPS and proper grounding. Change default passwords: Rename your Wi-Fi and set a strong, unique passphrase. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) in the app. Keep it updated: Install updates for Starlink and any home/office router. Enable auto-updates. Turn off remote control from the internet: If you must use it, restrict by IP and require MFA. Use strong Wi-Fi security: WPA3 (or WPA2 if needed). Avoid easy-to-guess network…