Deputy Managing Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Jamaica’s former Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke, says while Jamaica is well prepared, the Fund stands ready to support recovery if needed following the passage of the devastating Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
“Hurricane Melissa has left deep scars on my beloved Jamaica & across the Caribbean – families displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and communities left in pain. My thoughts are with all affected,” Clarke wrote on social media platform X.
He was echoing sentiments expressed by the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva.
Georgieva wrote on X, “My heart goes out to those across the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa. The loss of lives and devastation are heartbreaking.”
“The Fund stands ready to help as countries begin the path to recovery after this tragic event,” she added.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Fayval Williams outlined the layers of disaster risk funding Jamaica could draw on, based on the level of damage sustained.
She said $5.3 billion was available immediately from the Contingency Fund. There’s also the National Disaster Reserve Fund with $1 billion in it, although she said there are conditions that apply.
Source-Jamaica Gleaner