Post Cabinet Press Briefing Report- December 10, 2025
The post cabinet press briefing on December 10, 2025, begins with an introduction of the guests, including Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, Minister of Labor and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of Education Roda Moy Crawford, Parliamentary Secretary Senator Marlon Morgan, and other senior officials. The briefing acknowledges media members and Jamaicans watching both locally and abroad.
Cabinet Updates on Roof Repairs and Recovery
Minister Dixon begins with updates from a post-cabinet press briefing, focusing on roof repairs after recent rain. The Cabinet prioritized repairing roofs, especially for those without adequate coverage. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will play a central role in the repair efforts, supported by young people from the HEART NSTA trust working alongside the JDF to fix damaged roofs.
International Teams Assisting Roof Repairs
Delegations from Guyana, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Rwanda are arriving to assist with rebuilding efforts, focusing primarily on repairing structurally sound roofs in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the HEART NSTA Trust teams. The Minister is also addressing house rewiring needs, and private construction companies will be engaged to support reconstruction. Each visiting engineering team has been assigned specific affected areas: Guyana and Ethiopia to Trelawny, Rwanda to St. James, and Ghana to St. Elizabeth. Meetings involving the JDF, private firms, the NWA, and the Prime Minister are planned to coordinate and expand support for these efforts.
Christmas Party Restrictions and Outreach
Government Christmas parties are canceled this year, with only small in-office recognition activities allowed; external venue rentals are prohibited. Ministries, departments, and agencies are encouraged to conduct outreach activities for team members affected by recent events, especially in impacted areas. The private sector is urged to continue their outreach efforts and support the economy despite cancellations. Economic activity in unaffected areas should be stimulated by spending money to help offset downturns caused by the crisis. The government has also addressed questions about reconstruction grants.
Reconstruction Grants and Assessment Progress
The government is preparing to announce reconstruction grants by early January, contingent on assessments of affected individuals. Grants and roof repairs will only be provided to those assessed as impacted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Over 37,000 homes have already been assessed, with efforts underway to accelerate this process. The Minister of Labor is involved in overseeing these developments.
Fuel Supply and Airport Recovery Updates
The country’s fuel supply remains stable and secure following the hurricane, with the Kingston industrial loading rack resuming operations within 48 hours. Since October 30th, over 3,600 tankers have been loaded at Kingston and more than 60 at the Montego Bay facility, which has now returned to normal loading operations.
National fuel inventory levels are within the internationally accepted comfort range of two to three weeks supply, with shipments continuing after refinery maintenance completed on November 30th. All airports managed by the Airports Authority have resumed operations, though damage levels varied. Sangster International sustained the most damage, with relief flights resuming on October 30th and commercial flights on November 1st.
Repairs at Sangster International are projected to continue into February to March 2026. In contrast, Norman Manley International, Ian Fleming, and domestic aerodromes suffered minor damage and fully resumed operations by October 30th. Between October 29th and December 2nd, Jamaica’s aviation sector quickly recovered, processing over 3,000 flights and increasing activity by 26% within two weeks.
Relief operations have been robust, with 935 relief flights (a 50% increase) and over 310 helicopter missions supporting evacuations, medical transport, and supply drops. All major airports were restored within 24 to 48 hours, surpassing the 782-hour target. So far, 212 expedited relief authorizations have been processed and approximately 5 to 6,000 metric tons of relief cargo moved, demonstrating civil aviation’s critical role in national relief and recovery efforts.
Seaport Operations and Telecom Restoration
The seaports have implemented extended operating hours through November and December 2025 to manage peak season cargo and support Hurricane Melissa recovery. Saturday hours are extended from November 15 to December 13, and Kingston WS has lengthened weekday gate operations until 6 p.m. through December 23, with warehouses open on select dates in late November and December.
Seaports are effectively handling incoming relief supplies weekly and moving them quickly. Digicel and Flow networks are showing strong recovery, with Digicel restoring 94% of its sites and 81% of the mobile network operational by December 5, supported by commercial power, generators, and satellite technology where infrastructure was damaged.
Digicel’s fiber network has robustly recovered in several parishes despite more challenging conditions in some areas. Flow has restored 86% of its network and reconnected 64% of customers, focusing on fiber repairs and network routing. Flow’s progress aligns closely with Jamaica Public Service’s restoration efforts.
Mobile service restoration continues with 80% of Flow’s sites back in service, enabling the network to handle nearly all pre-hurricane traffic. Temporary mobile units are deployed in heavily affected communities, and technical teams are working to improve inter-site communication. Additional projects and updates on restoration efforts are forthcoming.
Energy Poverty Reduction and Solar Solutions
The government is providing targeted support to vulnerable households through the National Energy Poverty Reduction Project, allocating some of the previously designated $1 billion to assist families severely affected by Hurricane Melissa. Implemented by JSIF from December 2025 to March 31, 2026, the program focuses on restoring safe electrical access, repairing homes, and offering small solar solutions across seven parishes and 14 priority zones. The total project cost is estimated at 1.479 billion, with a funding gap of 479 million, prompting ongoing efforts to secure additional funds from the Ministry of Finance.
Recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa are progressing steadily, especially in the western parishes where significant work remains. The government expresses gratitude to Jamaicans for their patience and commends the frontline workers restoring critical services. Additionally, as of December 1st, 90.7% of point-of-sale machines and 87% of ATMs have been restored, greatly improving public access to cash and payment services.
JPS Restoration Loan and License Negotiations
The government decided to lend JPS 150 million US dollars to accelerate electricity restoration from 82% to 90% by Christmas/New Year and 100% by the end of January. This funding supports hiring an additional 300 linesmen on top of the existing 170 to speed up repairs. Without this loan, the 170 linesmen would have been decommissioned due to lack of funding. The loan was recommended by the Ministry of Finance and approved by Cabinet to avoid extending the current JPS license, which expires in 2027.
The current 25-year JPS license is considered flawed and will not be renewed on the same terms. To avoid granting the 15-year extension requested by JPS and multilaterals, the government chose to lend $150 million over five years at a concessional 5.5% interest rate to prevent bill increases. This loan supports ongoing license negotiations and ensures continuous restoration efforts. If JPS successfully negotiates a new license within two years, they can repay the loan; otherwise, the government is prepared to acquire JPS assets.
The government has clearly communicated that it will not grant an automatic 10-year extension for nonresponse to license renewal. Instead, it prefers lending $150 million to fast-track restoration rather than continuing under the current license for 15 more years. Despite opposition criticism regarding the loan’s release, the government emphasizes the decision benefits Jamaica by avoiding prolonged license extensions while focusing on restoration.
The initial restoration cost estimate of $480-$600 million has been revised down to $350-$400 million. The $150 million loan is based on JPS’s stated need for $75 million per month over two months to achieve full restoration. There is no current discussion or proposal for additional funds beyond the $150 million loan. The government, owning a minority stake in JPS, is not obligated to fund the private company but is doing so for public benefit. Separately, the OUR administers a $50 million emergency disaster fund for JPS to claim once damages are quantified. The rationale is to reduce the prolonged power outages affecting many parishes and the wider population.
Rationale for JPS Loan and Restoration Benefits
Minister Vaz emphasizes the critical importance of fast-tracking recovery and rebuilding efforts, highlighting the positive impact on government and business revenues, job restoration, and new economic opportunities across Jamaica. They defend the allocation of $150 million USD (23 billion Jamaican dollars) from the total $6.7 billion available to Jamaica as a wise, responsible decision essential for recovery. The current electricity restoration by JPS is at 82%, with plans to reach 90% by Christmas and New Year and 100% by late January or early February. Additional line workers and specialized equipment are being mobilized to meet these targets, with new resources expected before Christmas.
JPS Restoration Plans and Logistics for Westmoreland
Minister Vaz explains that linesmen will begin arriving as early as this weekend to start restoration work, with equipment expected to arrive by late next week or early the week of Christmas. The focus is on parishes with severe damage, especially Westmoreland, where power has already been restored to key areas like Savanna la Mar Hospital in Negril. Special accommodations and staging areas are being arranged in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth to optimize logistics. Due to accommodation shortages in these parishes, plans include docking a vessel such as a cruise ship or hotel between St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland to house linesmen who will commute daily from the vessel to work sites. This solution addresses the inefficient travel caused by the high damage in Westmoreland. Other parishes have sufficient lodging, but targeted efforts will focus on Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth to ensure a strong response between Christmas and New Year. Collaboration with MPs and municipal corporations is ongoing to refine these plans.
MPs and Municipal Corporations Input on Priorities
Additionally, Minister Vaz discusses prioritizing the needs of constituents and parishioners to ensure effective and efficient electricity restoration for the Christmas season. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has committed in writing to restore power to all major town centers in every parish by Christmas and New Year, which will significantly improve conditions. Westmoreland is highlighted as the worst-affected parish with the highest number of people without electricity. Minister Vaz urges focus on clear communication and cautions against criticism of government efforts without understanding the steps being taken.
Government Response to Criticism on JPS Loan
Minister Vaz highlights the stark contrast between those with comfortable living conditions such as beds, air conditioning, food, and jobs, and the many thousands who lack basic necessities like shelter, water, and diapers for their children. The government expresses empathy for the suffering of these vulnerable populations.
Minister Vaz also addresses criticism from two MPs in Westmoreland regarding a loan to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the government’s electricity plan. Despite their public opposition, one MP has shown insincere concern on social media. He asserts that the Jamaican people should judge the sincerity of these displays of emotion. They affirm that the current government was chosen to lead the country’s recovery and rebuilding. Collaboration with JPS aims to restore electricity to remaining customers within weeks, emphasizing progress five weeks into recovery efforts.
JPS Restoration Progress and Commitment
The Minister also reports that 82% of JPS customers have had power restored, highlighting that recovery in Jamaica has been faster than in many first-world countries after similar disasters. They strongly defend the loan recommendation and its approval as the best course of action to restore normalcy quickly. The government’s decision is justified by the extreme circumstances faced by the country, especially with the upcoming holiday season. The Minister of Energy expresses commitment to continuing improvements in public services and assures ongoing efforts for the benefit of the Jamaican people.
Cabinet Discussions on JPS Restoration Strategy
The decision discussed was not made arbitrarily but was a recurring topic in every Cabinet meeting. The main priority was ensuring people have access to light. A meeting with principals from the west, including JPS representatives, focused on questions about when electricity would be restored, reflecting the urgency felt by Jamaicans in the west. The Cabinet was driven by the goal of delivering light to the people of Jamaica as quickly as possible, believing this was the best course of action.
Commander Gayle on ODPEM Update
Minister Vaz expresses gratitude for the outreach and acknowledges the people of Jamaica. The session will continue with the Public Accounts Committee later, where more questions will be addressed. Commander Gayle, head of ODPEM, joins to provide an update, noting that it has been 42 days since the all-clear was issued and highlighting significant progress made so far.
The National Emergency Operations Center remains at level three, coordinating ongoing response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, which has caused significant human impact. There have been 45 confirmed deaths, 13 missing persons, and 32 deaths under investigation. Additionally, there are multiple cases of leptospirosis and tetanus with related deaths, highlighting the severity of the aftermath. Emergency shelters are still housing over 1,600 people across seven parishes. Efforts continue to find pre-fabricated and medium-term housing solutions to allow schools to reopen. The Guyana Defense Force has also deployed to Jamaica to repair infrastructure as promised, beginning work in Westmoreland parish.
International Military Support for Roof Repairs
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is collaborating with the ODPEM and regional and international military partners from Barbados, Bermuda, Rwanda, Ghana, and Ethiopia to conduct roofing repair missions throughout Jamaica. Their long-term focus is on providing safe, resilient housing and durable shelter solutions for those displaced, supported by strong national and international partnerships.
Food and Relief Distribution Efforts
The government of Jamaica has successfully mounted a large-scale food and relief distribution effort, delivering over 340,000 food packages through various agencies including the ODPEM and Jamaica Defence Force, primarily targeting western Jamaica. The food assistance working group, comprising 30 partners, has provided food packages and hot meals to hundreds of thousands of people across many communities. Additionally, over 39,000 household damage and needs-assessments have been completed to identify those requiring shelter and livelihood support. This data informs cash grant and voucher programs to aid families in purchasing essentials during the transition from emergency relief to early recovery and self-resilience. Faith-based groups, the private sector, and citizens also contribute to relief efforts. Infrastructure restoration, including telecommunications and water services by the National Water Commission, is underway.
Water Supply and Health Sector Recovery
Over 83% of the customer base has been restored with most systems in affected parishes back online, supported by 12 additional water trucks delivering over 146,000 gallons of water. More than 60% of remittance agencies in the worst-affected areas are operational, with specific parish restorations ranging from 67% to 85%. The health sector remains stable, with over half of health facilities operational, supported by field hospitals and medical missions. Mobile clinics, pharmacy services, mental health support, and distribution of medical supplies continue through partnerships with PAHO and UNICEF. Environmental health efforts, including mosquito control and fogging, are ongoing. The public is urged to store water safely, maintain cleanliness, and seek medical help if symptomatic. Over 17,000 contributors have donated approximately 780 million Jamaican dollars via the GOJ Hurricane Melissa platform to fund building supplies for recovery.
Fundraising and Support Jamaica Platform
Commander Gayle encourages contributions through the official Support Jamaica platform to aid recovery efforts. Jamaica is progressing steadily from emergency response to early recovery and rebuilding, with a unified mission involving government, local authorities, international partners, and community organizers to restore lives, livelihoods, and dignity. Over 800 million dollars have been raised, including donations from locals and the diaspora, which will fund supplies to repair homes damaged by recent events. The efforts include collaboration with engineering teams from several African countries working alongside the Jamaica Defence Force to fix roofs and rebuild communities. The segment concludes with a transition to the Minister of Labor and Social Security, who will discuss important assessment activities related to the recovery.
Ministry of Labor Update on Damage Assessments
Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. provides an update on the household damage assessments conducted following Hurricane Melissa. He highlights the significant increase in assessment capacity, noting that the number of assessments completed in one month has doubled compared to a previous 6-8 month period. As of December 9th, over 40,000 household damage assessments have been completed by 544 trained assessors. The government, led by the Prime Minister, is implementing an integrated assessment acceleration strategy involving multiple ministries and agencies to further scale up efforts. This collaborative approach aims to ensure reliable and accurate data collection, which is essential for progressing to the next phase of providing housing and other support to those affected by the hurricane.
Scaling Up Assessments with Government Support
Efforts are underway to increase the number of trained assessors to scale up assessment operations. Currently, 60 JDF service corps members assist 17 JDF officers in the west, with 30 more service corps members expected to join. Additionally, 30 assessors funded by the World Food Program have been onboarded and started operations. Officers from Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Mary, and Portland are also being deployed or prepared to reinforce teams in various regions, supported by liaison officers from Canada and the US. Overall, more than 100 additional assessors are now contributing to the assessment efforts.
Given that many of the approximately 600 assessors are volunteers who cannot work full-time, there is a need to increase assessor numbers to maintain consistent assessment activities throughout the week. The goal is to reach about 600 active assessors to complete 150,000 assessments by the end of January. Negotiations are ongoing with the MLSS team and the UNDP, who have extensive experience with deployments, to secure additional UN volunteers for support. Discussions are also taking place with various ministries to assign personnel as assessors, ensuring they receive institutional backing to effectively carry out assessments.
Approvals have been granted to enable ministries and their agencies to officially support identified assessors, which is crucial not only for recruitment but also for ensuring assessments are completed efficiently. This institutional support aims to strengthen the output of assessment activities across departments, enhancing sustained efforts beyond simply increasing assessor numbers.
Deployment of Assessment Teams and Timeline
The plan involves deploying at least 200 teams across priority parishes including St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. Ann. These teams will be supported by ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure effective coverage in difficult terrains. Supervision will be provided by officers from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security along with support partners. The implementation timeline accounts for December public holidays, aiming for an accelerated assessment surge throughout December and January, with verification and reporting expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.
Food Procurement Expenditure and Self-Reporting
The Minister provides an update on food-related expenditure linked to the hurricane Melissa emergency response. As of December 9, 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security has spent 225.1 million dollars on food procurement. This amount includes 52 million dollars spent pre-hurricane food prepositioned nationwide and 173.1 million dollars spent post-hurricane. The total expenditure would be significantly higher if donations and distributed packaged food were included.
A self-reporting mechanism has been launched and is accessible via the ministry’s website and supportjamaica.gov.jm. This system addresses challenges encountered during community assessments, such as households being absent because many people are staying with family. Scheduled assessments are communicated across parishes, and if persons are not found during visits, they are encouraged to use the self-reporting tool to ensure they are not missed. Lessons learned from previous experiences have informed the self-reporting approach. Additionally, an email contact is available for further information on assessments. The ministry is also calling for volunteers who have transportation and willingness to join the assessor team to assist in the ongoing assessment process.
Call for Volunteers to Assist with Assessments
Minister Charles Jr. encourages the public to contact the ministry via phone or email to provide information and support, especially in the western region, to reduce transportation costs. This initiative requires collaboration across government and the private sector to achieve shared goals. They acknowledge that some individuals may feel overlooked, affirming that the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is actively monitoring media and remains committed to addressing these concerns through coordinated efforts with partners.
He also emphasizes the importance of ensuring no one is left behind, especially vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities. They call on community leaders, civil society, and the private sector across Jamaica to help identify anyone needing support or assessment who may have been missed. Despite extensive deployment efforts, some individuals might still be overlooked, and public assistance is crucial to reach them. The ministry is also utilizing a volunteer list from the Support Jamaica site to aid these efforts.
Volunteer Coordination and Media Questions
The Minister explains efforts to recruit volunteers for assessments, emphasizing the need for more helpers and urging those available to come forward. They mention that every ministry is required by Cabinet to identify individuals for this purpose and that assessments will be conducted quickly. He also addresses media questions, noting that inquiries about JPS were handled by Minister Vaz, and clarifies that significant funds, 225.1 million from the Ministry of Labor and 80 million from ODPEM, have been spent on food, with most of the food expenditure coming from the Ministry of Labor.