Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Jamaica Seeks $9.5 Billion Aid After Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica needs $9.5 billion to rebuild after a big hurricane named Melissa.
They want rich countries to give them money to fix their island, not lend it to them.
The hurricane was made worse by climate change, and it damaged many buildings and hurt their important industries like tourism and farming.
The hurricane's damage was worse than when the COVID-19 pandemic hurt their economy.
Jamaica requests urgent financial assistance from wealthy nations at COP30
Hurricane Melissa caused $10 billion in damages, with only $500 million covered by reserves
Jamaica prefers grants, investments, and concessional finance over commercial loans
The storm was made 30% stronger and six times more likely by climate change
192,000 buildings damaged, tourism and agriculture sectors impacted, economic loss greater than COVID-19 pandemic
- Who
- Jamaica, wealthy countries at COP30
- What
- Jamaica seeks financial aid
- When
- At COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil
- Where
- Jamaica
- Why
- To rebuild after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica's stance
Wealthy nations' expected stance
Funding preference
Jamaica's stance
Grants, investments, concessional finance
Wealthy nations' expected stance
To be determined
- Storm category
- Category 5
- Estimated climate change impact
- 30% stronger, six times more likely