Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated 8.8 billion dollars in physical damage to Jamaica, a figure representing forty-one percent of the nation's gross domestic product. A World Bank official presented the assessment, noting the southwestern parishes of St. James, Westmoreland, and St. Elizabeth sustained sixty-three percent of the total losses.
The most significant damage affected residential buildings, accounting for 3.7 billion dollars. Infrastructure losses reached 2.9 billion dollars, while non-residential buildings suffered 1.8 billion dollars in damage. The agricultural sector experienced 389 million dollars in destruction.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that the storm impacted approximately 900,000 people and damaged about 100,000 homes. He affirmed the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency during the rebuilding process, a principle he stated is valued by international partners.
The most significant damage affected residential buildings, accounting for 3.7 billion dollars. Infrastructure losses reached 2.9 billion dollars, while non-residential buildings suffered 1.8 billion dollars in damage. The agricultural sector experienced 389 million dollars in destruction.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that the storm impacted approximately 900,000 people and damaged about 100,000 homes. He affirmed the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency during the rebuilding process, a principle he stated is valued by international partners.
