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Country analysis

Jamaica

Jamaica’s main humanitarian crisis stems from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that made landfall in October 2025 and devastated communities across the island. The hurricane severely damaged homes and public infrastructure, including electricity and water networks, and disrupted essential services such as health and education, particularly in western parishes.

Many people are still living with damaged housing, disrupted services, and limited access to healthcare and safe water, heightening public health risks and undermining recovery. Damage to schools and continued service interruptions are also constraining children’s access to education several months after the storm.

(UNICEF 24/02/2026, IFRC 31/12/2025, UNICEF 03/03/2026)

Jamaica’s main humanitarian crisis stems from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that made landfall in October 2025 and devastated communities across the island. The hurricane severely damaged homes and public infrastructure, including electricity and water networks, and disrupted essential services such as health and education, particularly in western parishes.

Many people are still living with damaged housing, disrupted services, and limited access to healthcare and safe water, heightening public health risks and undermining recovery. Damage to schools and continued service interruptions are also constraining children’s access to education several months after the storm.

(UNICEF 24/02/2026, IFRC 31/12/2025, UNICEF 03/03/2026)

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current crises
in Jamaica

JAM002 - Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Last updated 31/03/2026

Drivers

Cyclone
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

5.2 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Jamaica

Jamaica: anticipated impact of Hurricane Melissa

29 October 2025

Jamaica: anticipated impact of Hurricane Melissa

DOCUMENT / PDF / 386 KB

Hurricane Melissa, which began as a tropical storm on 21 October 2025, has rapidly intensified since forming in the Caribbean and evolved into a major Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of around 280km/h, effectively jumping four levels in 24 hours. 

Natural hazards
Jamaica: impact of Hurricane Beryl

18 July 2024

Jamaica: impact of Hurricane Beryl

DOCUMENT / PDF / 374 KB

Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica on 3 July 2024. The Category 4 hurricane is historically among the most powerful to have affected the country. By 9 July, 1,876 people had evacuated from coastal areas, such as Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine, to 160 shelters in safer areas.

Natural hazards
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