In the quiet moments after the shaking stops, Jamaica does what it has always done. We check on neighbours. We sweep up broken glass. We thank God. And then we rebuild.
Over the last few years, that rhythm has become familiar. Hurricane Melissa left scars we are still tracing. The year before, Hurricane Beryl tore through the island with punishing force. Now, in early 2026, a series of earthquakes has reminded us that resilience in Jamaica is not seasonal. It is structural.
Experts have warned that we should brace for more seismic activity. Not panic. Prepare. That distinction matters.
We are, as we often say, tallawah — a Jamaican word that captures toughness, grit and unshakeable spirit. But spirit alone does not hold up a building. Steel does. Concrete does. Thoughtful design does.
If we are rebuilding — and in many communities we are, again — then we must rebuild for more than the next hurricane season. We must rebuild for endurance.
Recovery Is Swift — But It Is Still Recovery
Jamaica …
