Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. October 30, 2025. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of Jamaica, who continue to endure the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods and with communities now facing the difficult task of rebuilding.
As the CARICOM’s regional public health agency serving the Region, CARPHA is guided by the values of unity, compassion, resilience and collective action. We recognise that an injury to one is an injury to all. When disaster strikes any part of our region, it impacts us all. Jamaica’s pain is the Caribbean’s pain, and we stand firmly beside our Jamaican brothers and sisters during this challenging time.
Hurricane Melissa has brought not only physical destruction but also threats to public health, including food, water and vector-borne diseases, WASH and sanitation issues, mental health stressors and disruptions to essential health services.
CARPHA acknowledges these specific public heath challenges and as the health lead in the CDEMA led regional disaster response, through the CARICOM’s approved Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) CARPHA is working closely with CARICOM, CDEMA, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOH), PAHO and other regional and international partners to support the national response.
Solidarity, for CARPHA, means Action.
The Agency stands ready and is coordinating with CDEMA and MOH Jamaica and partners to:
- Provide essential public health supplies, inclusive of rapid testing kits for infectious diseases, supplies for food, water and vector borne safety, medical and PPE supplies, field hospital supplies to prevent/reduce outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis and gastroenteritis.
- Continue working with CARICOM’s Ministers of Health, CDEMA and its partners for coordinated harmonised public health response to ensure that public health needs remain central in recovery and humanitarian efforts.
- Provide in-country response as part of CDEMA’s RRM and or as requested by the MOH.
- Beyond immediate response, CARPHA will continue to assist Jamaica in strengthening its health security systems, disaster preparedness, and community resilience.
We reaffirm our commitment to listening to and amplifying the voices of Jamaica’s communities, health workers and local authorities. Their leadership and insights guide our interventions and ensure that our regional support meets real and urgent needs.
The Caribbean people are known for its resilience. Together, We WILL Rebuild. In moments like these, the Caribbean’s greatest strength is its unity. CARPHA stands resolutely with Jamaica, not only in words, but in sustained partnership and shared action. Together, we will rebuild stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
