IDB Group Offers Solidarity and Support to Melissa Response and Recovery Plans in Jamaica Visit

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) President Ilan Goldfajn joined Caribbean heads of state in a visit to Jamaica's devastated areas to offer solidarity and support in the country's urgent response and recovery efforts.  

Jamaica’s preparedness — including disaster-risk financing through the IDB’s Contingent Credit Facility (CCF) — will help limit the immediate fallout. 

Recovery planning is now underway, focusing on key priorities and strengthening resilience. 

The IDB Group is supporting this effort not only with financing, but with technical expertise, to help turn recovery into long-term resilience. Within a package totaling US$1.26 billion in financing and US$4.7 million in technical-cooperation grants, the Bank has made available rapid financing tools and technical-support planning and coordination across two phases — emergency and reconstruction.  

For the emergency phase, Jamaica’s CCF was recently expanded, with US$300 million available for parametric events — helping the country mobilize emergency relief, while protecting fiscal space. In addition, the Bank has made available US$500,000 in emergency humanitarian support, together with US$2.15 million in technical cooperation grants. 

Building Forward Better — Together 

For the recovery and reconstruction phase, the IDB Group is working with the government, the World Bank, and other partners on priority areas where its technical experience and long-standing engagement can deliver sustained impact.  

The support package includes up to US$960 million in sovereign financing and US$2.05 million in technical-cooperation grants. 

• Health: Planning to rebuild hospitals and health centers in high-impact areas, including relocation, retrofitting, and digital upgrades.
• Housing: Supporting Jamaica in rebuilding the housing sector — including technical assistance and financing for the three phases that the government of Jamaica is planning, which includes emergency, temporary housing, short-term shelters, and long-term reconstruction for the thousands of people who have lost their homes in the western parishes.
• Energy: Preparing a joint public-private proposal for grid modernization, building on IDB Invest’s existing engagement with Jamaica’s power utility and partnering with the World Bank Group's IFC.
• Water: Coordinating with the National Water Commission to restore services, assess damage, and develop a sector-wide resilience plan using HydroBID. 

Private capital will be essential — not only to scale recovery, but to preserve fiscal space. As such, IDB Group regional platforms are designed to blend public and private solutions from the outset. 

“Coming here straight from COP30 is a reminder: resilience isn’t tomorrow’s agenda; it’s crucial today,” said Goldfajn. “We’re supporting Jamaica to rebuild stronger, avoid future losses, and protect lives. That’s what resilience means.” 

A More Resilient Caribbean 

Jamaica’s recovery is also part of a broader regional effort. Caribbean countries — including Barbados and Guyana — have expressed solidarity and mobilized resources. While the immediate response showed strong unity, medium- and long-term recovery will require deeper systems, resilient infrastructure, and financing tools that protect public budgets. 

The IDB Group is contributing to that agenda through regional programs such as ONE Caribbean and Ready and Resilient Americas, and financial innovations such as the new Caribbean Multi-Guarantor Debt-for-Resilience Initiative, launched at COP30 with CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Development Bank.