Only 1.8% of the J$1.44 billion donated for Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery efforts has reportedly been spent months after the devastating storm struck Jamaica, leaving communities still struggling to rebuild damaged homes and restore basic stability. According to an audit covering spending up to February 23, 2026, just J$26.2 million had been disbursed despite widespread destruction and sustained public expectations following major national and diaspora-led donation drives.
The audit further revealed significant concerns around financial oversight within the disaster response framework, including weaknesses in procurement monitoring, beneficiary verification, and documentation processes. It also flagged gaps in how relief contracts and supplies were tracked, raising broader questions about transparency in the management of emergency funds. Attention has now turned to the operations of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), as auditors examined whether systems in place were adequate to handle large-scale disaster financing efficiently and accountably.
However, ODPEM has reportedly attributed the slow pace of expenditure to delays in receiving authorisation from the Ministry of Finance, arguing that administrative bottlenecks impacted disbursement timelines. Even so, the findings are likely to heighten public scrutiny over Jamaica’s disaster response readiness, especially as affected residents continue to await meaningful recovery support. With questions now mounting over emergency fund governance and national preparedness, pressure is expected to grow for stronger oversight mechanisms ahead of future hurricane seasons.
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