Auditor General audit raises concerns over unspent Hurricane Melissa relief funds

A real-time audit by the Auditor General has renewed scrutiny of Jamaica’s disaster recovery system, after finding that hurricane-related funds remained largely unused months after Hurricane Melissa, even as families, farmers and homeowners continued trying to rebuild.

The discussion on CVM’s Lead Story Prime centred on the audit’s findings on spending linked to Hurricane Melissa and Hurricane Beryl. The programme reported that the estimated damage from Melissa had been revised to about US$12.2 billion, equal to 56.7 per cent of Jamaica’s 2024 gross domestic product. It also said only 1.8 per cent of donated relief funds had been spent, while more than $1 billion remained available.

Host Jody-Ann Quarrie noted that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, ODPEM, had again declined an invitation to appear on the programme. The show also said the audit did not allege misappropriation, but raised questions about delays, documentation, reporting and whether support had reached affected people quickly enough.

Dr Gavin Myers of National Integrity Action said the findings pointed to deeper weaknesses in state systems, including missing oversight arrangements and erosion of public-sector capacity. He argued that committees required to unlock and manage disaster funds should be established urgently before the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins.

Jeanette Caldwell, executive director of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal, said the report reflected Jamaica’s long-running implementation deficit, where money may be available but public bodies fail to act at the required speed or standard. She said the National Disaster Fund committee had not been functioning, and that the absence of proper governance arrangements affected lawful and efficient access to the fund.

Caldwell also questioned whether the planned National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority would solve the governance gaps identified by the audit. She said issues such as idle funds, weak follow-up with financial institutions and poor documentation of relief supplies could continue without stronger oversight.

The programme linked the concerns to the looming hurricane season and a Met Service warning about drought risks associated with El Nino. Guests said the immediate priority should be restoring the required disaster-management committees and ensuring existing laws and plans are working before another major climate event.