In this interview with Carol Sanchez, Focal Point for private sector engagement in the Caribbean through the OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business Initiative, we hear how Jamaica’s private sector engaged in response efforts after Hurricane Melissa struck as a Category 5 storm in October 2025:

How was the private sector organized during the emergency?

I must say, Jamaica’s private sector was remarkably well organized, drawing lessons from the COVID pandemic around the power of collaboration.

They established a Private Sector Emergency Operations Centre where companies set aside competition to work together effectively.

Initially, they were coordinating mostly internally, struggling to integrate into the national response system.

After Melissa, the national disaster management authority changed its structure, and with the support of the OCHA-UNDP Connecting Business Initiative, the private sector was able to connect with this new system, getting a seat at the table.

What role did the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) play in facilitating this dialogue?

In simple terms, OCHA acted as a broker. We established connections between the private sector Emergency Operations Centre, national authorities, and regional bodies such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

We promoted the government’s support website, Support Jamaica – Official Disaster Relief & Recovery Portal, which outlined what was needed and where. It facilitated financial donations.

We encouraged contributions from the private sector that aligned with these needs.

Above all, we must recognize the crucial role that the Jamaican government played by publishing a clear “needs list” online. This approach helped avoid mismatched donations and allowed companies to contribute directly to specific needs.

How was the private sector able to engage so quickly in response efforts?

That can be explained by Jamaica’s historical experience with Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and the COVID-19 pandemic, which informed their readiness.

Nevertheless, Melissa’s impact as a Category 5 hurricane exceeded expectations.

The private sector itself was severely affected, particularly tourism, banking, and remittances, but it demonstrated incredible resilience.

They are already collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme, CDEMA, and Jamaica’s Planning Institute to design recovery plans.

The focus is not only on rebuilding homes but also on investing in sustainable, resilient infrastructure, and local economies.

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