Hurricane Melissa, which was classified as a Category 5 hurricane, hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, leaving devastation and destruction in its wake, which it has been said will cost Jamaica some 40 per cent of its GDP.

In the aftermath of Melissa, Jamaica saw aid flooding into the country and it has been widely reported that the Government secured a package of US$ 6.7 billion over three years in international support for recovery and reconstruction after Hurricane Melissa.

Nevertheless, assistance has been slow in getting to the people who need it the most. Many Jamaicans are still without homes, amenities, utilities, their lives and livelihoods uncertain as the Government ponders bureaucratic and administrative solutions to help beleaguered citizens.

This did not escape Senator Ramon Small-Ferguson’s attention as he spoke in the Senate on Friday afternoon on amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act to remove the J$10 billion cap on the National Disaster Reserve Fund (NNDRF).

“Several months after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the truth is the reality that many Jamaicans are facing is in stark contrast to many of the pronouncements from the Government and the congratulatory tones in relation to the pace and significance of the recovery. Beyond the press releases and communications, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.

“There are families, Mr President, that remain without a permanent roof over their heads. There are children whose education has been halted by this crisis. There are people who have no access to basic amenities – potable water, electricity, public services. Many Jamaicans, Mr President, are speaking in their own words and saying they have not yet felt the arm of recovery extended to them from the State in a meaningful way, “he said in the Senate.

To underscore the vulnerability of Jamaica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Senator Small-Ferguson pointed out that of the more than 40 weather episodes that have taken place in the Atlantic Basin, a third have occurred in the last decade.

He went on to add that while the Opposition welcomes the removal of the cap, (release of funds in excess of J$10 billion), the Government needs to take the opportunity to become more constructive in relation to the Fund in the face of the realities just experienced. 

He continued: “ At a time when recovery in relation to our latest crisis is far from complete, the vulnerability that we suffer is most visible by virtue of what has happened and the risk we are facing seems to be escalating rather than diminishing. I believe, Mr President, we are missing the mark with respect to the extent of the Amendment before us. We could become more progressive in safeguarding the people of Jamaica from this mounting risk .

“Mr President, while the Amendment does not prevent the Fund from going beyond the J$10 billion, there is an important change I would like the Government to re-examine, and that is once the threshold is reached, the Government relieves itself from the obligation to continue contributing to the Fund from the Consolidated Fund.”

Only last week, the Auditor General’s Department uncovered widespread breaches in governance and procurement activities concerning Hurricane Melissa relief.