136 people remain 24 shelters one year after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica

October 28, 2026

One hundred and thirty-six individuals remain in 24 shelters, one year after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a category 5 storm.

Sixty-six per cent of the shelterees are located in Westmoreland and St. James.

The disclosure was made by Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, during a post-Cabinet press briefing today.

He explained that persons in shelters will benefit from semi-permanent housing solutions, under the shelter recovery programme.

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Commander Gayle said up to October 26, $1.69 billion was gained in net donation, towards Hurricane Melissa response.

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Under the Government’s direct roof repair programme, ODPEM has so far spent $194 million on procuring building materials, while $300 million worth of building materials and tools have been utilised to repair 500 roofs under Phase 1 of the programme.

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