Kingston, Jamaica —With the Government’s temporary waiver of customs duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on Hurricane Melissa relief items set to expire, attention is shifting from emergency response to a more complex question: how Jamaica sustains its physical and housing recovery once extraordinary measures fall away.
The waiver, introduced in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and extended to December 31, 2025, played a crucial role in allowing relief supplies from the Diaspora — particularly the United Kingdom — to reach the island quickly and affordably. Its expiry now raises concerns not just about humanitarian aid, but about the pace and cost of rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and communities across some of the country’s hardest-hit parishes.
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, caused extensive damage across south-western and north-western Jamaica, leaving dozens dead and destroying or severely damaging thousands of homes. Roof loss, structural failure, flooding…
