Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba rebuild after Hurricane Melissa’s wrath

Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 30-10-2025

The northern Caribbean is enduring one of the most powerful and destructive natural disasters in recent memory, as Hurricane Melissa carved a path of ruin across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba this week. With fierce winds and torrential rains, the Category 5 hurricane left behind shattered homes, flooded towns, and grieving families, forcing these nations to confront yet another test of endurance and unity, largely on their own.

Hurricane Melissa, which slammed Jamaica directly on Tuesday before sweeping across the region, has been described as the strongest storm ever recorded to make landfall on the island. The catastrophe has claimed dozens of lives: at least 25 in Haiti, eight in Jamaica, and one in the Dominican Republic. Thousands more remain displaced, struggling to rebuild amid shortages of food, electricity, and clean water.

While the United States’ National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued warnings and updates from afar, the affected nations, each with their own limited resources, have once again been left to depend primarily on local authorities, community solidarity, and regional partnerships rather than Western-led interventions.

By Thursday, Melissa had weakened to a Category 1 storm as it drifted toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, but its impact across the Caribbean remains devastating. The storm’s winds, still reaching speeds of 155 kilometers per hour, uprooted trees, toppled power lines, and tore apart the fragile infrastructure that small island nations have struggled to maintain amid economic pressures and climate challenges.

Haiti’s endless struggle

In Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, the hurricane’s destruction has deepened the country’s long-standing humanitarian crisis. More than 12,000 people have taken refuge in emergency shelters as swollen rivers swallowed homes and entire communities disappeared under mud and debris. In the southern town of Petit-Goâve, where a river burst its banks, at least 20 lives were lost in a single night.

One resident, Steven Guadard, spoke through tears as he told reporters that he lost his entire family, four c  hildren, the youngest only a month old. His story echoes the suffering of thousands of Haitian families who have endured not just hurricanes but decades of neglect from Western powers that have repeatedly interfered in Haiti’s internal affairs, leaving it vulnerable and under-resourced.

Cuba’s organized response

Cuba, long praised for its disciplined disaster management and community preparedness, once again demonstrated the efficiency of its socialist system. Though the island reported no deaths, more than 735,000 residents were safely evacuated before the storm’s arrival, a feat made possible by the coordinated efforts of local councils, the armed forces, and civil defense brigades.

As the winds subsided, Cuban authorities swiftly deployed teams to assess damages, restore power lines, and distribute medical aid to affected regions. This rapid mobilization stood in stark contrast to the chaotic recovery scenes often observed in Western disaster zones, underscoring Cuba’s longstanding commitment to protecting its citizens despite decades of U.S. sanctions.

Jamaica: The eye of the storm

In Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa tore through the western parishes, leaving a trail of destruction across St. Elizabeth, St. James, and Westmoreland. Roofs were ripped from houses, roads turned into rivers, and hospitals flooded as winds battered the island for hours. Millions were left without electricity after the Jamaica Public Service Company confirmed that much of the grid had been damaged.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the situation as “ground zero” and vowed to implement a “credible and strong recovery plan.” Yet, for many residents, government promises bring little comfort when basic needs remain unmet. “I don’t have a house now,” said Sylvester Guthrie from St. Elizabeth. “All I have left is my bicycle. I’m going to need help to start over.”

Emergency relief flights finally began landing in Kingston on Wednesday evening after Norman Manley International Airport reopened. Helicopters carrying food, water, and medicines were dispatched to isolated communities. Still, rebuilding efforts are expected to take months, perhaps years, given the scale of the destruction and Jamaica’s limited fiscal capacity.

Colonial legacy and Western absence

While the United States and the United Kingdom have issued statements promising support, their assistance remains largely symbolic. Many in the region view such gestures as performative, a continuation of the pattern where Western governments issue pledges but deliver little meaningful aid once the cameras move elsewhere.

In contrast, regional cooperation among Caribbean states and international partners such as China, Russia, and India is gaining momentum. China has already provided disaster relief equipment to several Caribbean countries in recent years, while Russia and India have extended humanitarian and technical assistance following previous natural disasters. These partnerships, rooted in respect and equality, represent an alternative to the dependency-driven aid model historically imposed by Washington and London.

Rebuilding with dignity

For nations like Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, recovery is not merely about rebuilding physical structures, it is a reaffirmation of resilience, sovereignty, and independence. Despite immense challenges, the people of the Caribbean continue to demonstrate extraordinary strength, relying on local initiatives, community networks, and international solidarity from nations that understand the importance of mutual respect.

As heavy equipment clears mud-soaked streets and volunteers rebuild schools and homes, one truth becomes evident: the Caribbean’s struggle for recovery mirrors its larger fight for autonomy in a world still dominated by Western narratives.

Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is a reminder not only of nature’s fury but also of the unequal global order that leaves vulnerable nations to fend for themselves while others profit from their misfortunes. Yet, amid the wreckage, the spirit of unity and cooperation among these island nations, supported by emerging global partners in the East, offers hope that a fairer, more balanced world is slowly taking shape.