UNDP urges Jamaica to centre nature-based solutions in hurricane recovery and national planning

Jamaica should place nature-based green solutions at the core of current and upcoming planning, recovery, and reconstruction work, according to Dr. Kishan Codae, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office in Jamaica.

Speaking on the need for urgent action, Dr. Codae said international partners remain vital in helping developing countries like Jamaica recover more strongly from major storms. The UNDP has worked in Jamaica for many years alongside government, communities, non-governmental organisations, the University of the West Indies, and the private sector to support resilient recovery from recurring disasters. Hurricane Melissa, he noted, stood apart as a Category 5-plus system—the strongest on record in modern Jamaican history—and brought severe impacts across the island. In the immediate aftermath, the UNDP moved to community level to deliver recovery support in western Jamaica.

The UN team also backed the Government in completing a loss-and-damage assessment from the hurricane, finished late last year and published after review. That study put total losses and damages at US$12 billion, roughly 55 to 57 per cent of gross domestic product—a figure Dr. Codae described as significant by global and historical standards. About 30 per cent of assessed losses were tied to ecosystems and the environment. More than half of forests in the Cockpit Country in western Jamaica were damaged, along with soils, mountain systems, and watersheds that supply river water for agriculture and communities. Water security suffered a major blow.

Coastal ecosystems were hit hard as well. Coral systems supporting fish populations and sanctuaries that fishing communities depend on were affected, alongside mangrove areas. Dr. Codae said restoring forests, soils, water supplies, corals, and mangroves is central to a green recovery that allows livelihoods and natural systems to rebound together and withstand future climate shocks.

Equally important, he argued, is weaving nature-based and climate-resilient design into infrastructure rebuilds—in towns, buildings, and facilities—so hard investments made in the coming months are built back better. While regrowing trees, mangroves, and corals can take months or years, he pointed to early regrowth across western Jamaica within months of Melissa's passage as evidence that nature can begin to recover on its own when supported.

The UNDP is launching initiatives this year with partners to restore ecosystems and embed these approaches in national planning and recovery frameworks. Work with the Planning Institute of Jamaica includes a cross-sector working group drawing together international partners, government agencies, universities, think tanks, civil society, and NGOs to coordinate efforts and share knowledge.

At the local level, the UNDP plans technical assistance centres to bring best practices and technologies directly to communities, working with municipal and parish authorities on sustainable development and recovery planning. Dr. Codae stressed that partnerships with local civil society remain critical, and the agency has expanded direct grant support—recently issuing a call for proposals aimed at community-based organisations across Jamaica.