Where Did the $67 Billion Go? Minister Reveals Hurricane Melissa Spending

More than $67 billion was channelled into Jamaica’s recovery effort after Hurricane Melissa battered the island last year, with housing repairs, infrastructure restoration and support for affected communities accounting for the largest share of the spending.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams on Wednesday provided a detailed breakdown of the expenditure, revealing that billions of dollars were directed towards rebuilding homes, repairing roads and restoring critical services in the wake of the Category Five storm.

One of the biggest allocations went to the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme, which received $10 billion to help families repair damaged homes.

Another $24 billion was provided to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) through a loan facility as efforts continued to restore and strengthen the electricity network.

Road rehabilitation and debris removal also commanded significant funding. The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development was allocated $7.5 billion, while local authorities received $4.6 billion through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Several other sectors affected by the hurricane received billions in support. Tourism was allocated $3.4 billion, agriculture received $3 billion to assist farmers and fishers, and water and environmental recovery efforts were backed by $3.2 billion.

The education and health sectors were also included in the recovery package. Schools and related institutions benefited from a $2.3-billion allocation, while the Ministry of Health and Wellness received nearly $2 billion, in addition to a further $400 million approved later through supplementary estimates.

Williams said the spending was approved through the third and fourth supplementary estimates for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category Five system in October 2025, leaving widespread damage across multiple sectors and prompting one of the largest recovery spending programmes in recent years.

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