Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery is entering a more complex and potentially costly phase, with the Bank of Jamaica warning that delays in rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa could push inflation higher and place additional strain on households, businesses, and the property market.
At its latest quarterly monetary policy briefing, the central bank made it clear that the challenge facing the country is no longer the availability of money, but the speed at which recovery funds are translated into actual rebuilding. For real estate — homes, land, infrastructure, and community development — that distinction matters more than it might first appear.
Nearly US$1 billion in donations and relief funding has already been mobilised through official channels, with more expected from insurers and multilateral lenders. Yet much of that funding remains tied up in planning, approvals, and procurement. In the meantime, damaged homes remain unrepaired, construction demand is building, and costs are rising.
