Opposition presses Government on hurricane shelters and climate-ready infrastructure

The parliamentary Opposition has criticised the Government’s hurricane preparedness, warning that Jamaica’s shelter network and public infrastructure may not be ready as the new season approaches.

Omar Newell, the Opposition spokesman on the environment and Member of Parliament for Central St. Mary, raised the concerns during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate. He said the issue has become more urgent after Hurricane Melissa’s damage last year, with many affected residents still trying to recover even as forecasts point to a below-normal hurricane season.

Newell told Parliament that shelters could be the only immediate protection available to some people displaced or left in insecure housing after Hurricane Melissa. He said the country was less than two weeks from the start of the hurricane season while “hundreds of millions” in donor funds remained unspent.

He also questioned whether Jamaica’s shelters are properly prepared, distributed across communities and accessible to persons with disabilities. Newell asked whether facilities have backup electricity, stored and purified water, sanitation systems and reliable communications in the event of a major storm.

According to Newell, about half of the island’s shelters are not prepared “for a strong breeze, let alone a major hurricane”.

He argued that Jamaica cannot continue rebuilding in ways that leave communities exposed to modern climate risks. The repeated collapse of roads and bridges during heavy rain, he said, shows that climate resilience is not an abstract issue.

Newell said too many roads continue to fail, drains overflow, retaining walls collapse and communities are cut off after severe weather. He added that if recent failures on roads leading to St. Thomas had already passed official assessments, the country needs a new assessment framework.

Turning to his Central St. Mary constituency, Newell said climate vulnerability affects everyday life, including livelihoods, education, health, employment and investment. He said neglected roads and infrastructure can damage communities and limit opportunity.

He urged the Government to treat environmental and infrastructure problems as urgent matters, saying the response should not be temporary, political or performative.