KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is conducting a rapid health needs assessment across several parishes in Jamaica in the aftermath of Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which caused widespread devastation across the island’s western and southern regions.

The exercise, led in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), aims to evaluate the extent of damage to public health infrastructure and identify priority areas for recovery.

Formed in 2011, CARPHA’s mandate involves providing public health services to its member states with a focus on surveillance which extends to emergency and response.

CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Disease Control, Dr Horace Cox, explained that CARPHA serves as the health lead within the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) disaster response framework.

“Whenever there’s a natural disaster in the region, CDEMA takes the lead in coordinating, and CARPHA would be the health lead,” Dr Cox said. “So we accompany CDEMA on what is called a rapid needs assessment.”

He noted that the current mission follows CDEMA’s activation of its Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) after Hurricane Melissa’s passage.

“We’re here as part of the RNAT conducting a rapid needs assessment to look at the extent of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa to different parishes and communities in Jamaica, and to identify and map the immediate needs of the population,” Dr Cox said.

“The findings will help guide recommendations on how the road to recovery should look and what areas should be prioritised.”

Dr Cox reported that preliminary observations point to significant damage to peripheral health facilities, leading to service disruptions and relocations in some hospitals.

“Apart from infrastructural damage, there’s a real threat regarding water, sanitation and hygiene in the communities,” he said. “Limited availability of water poses risks such as increases in diarrheal diseases, mosquito proliferation due to stagnant water, and the presence of rodents and flies from disrupted garbage disposal systems.”

He added that while most injuries reported so far stem from cuts or accidents during clean-up, vigilance will be crucial in the coming weeks to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne and diarrheal diseases such as dengue and gastroenteritis.

The CARPHA team currently in Jamaica consists of two members, following an earlier visit by Executive Director Dr Lisa Indar.

A larger contingent is expected to be deployed next week as the assessment transitions toward implementation of support.

Dr Cox emphasised that although the team is focused on assessment, relief efforts have already begun.

“CARPHA has mobilised close to US$1 million to support the procurement of essential supplies for both the population and health facilities,” he said. “We’ve already shipped and donated supplies, and more are on the way.”

Reflecting on his visit to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland, Dr Cox commended the dedication of healthcare workers who continue to serve despite suffering personal losses.

“It was heart-warming to see that even though they’ve suffered tremendous personal loss, they’re still there catering to the needs of patients,” he said. “It speaks to humanity and resilience.”

Among the main challenges identified are the continued power and water outages in affected communities, which Dr Cox noted will take time to restore. These conditions, he cautioned, heighten health risks and demand continued public sensitisation to reduce exposure to disease.

Despite the devastation, Dr Cox praised the coordination of local and regional systems, crediting disaster preparedness measures for preventing even greater loss of life

“This is a disaster like none we’ve seen before, a Category Five hurricane with winds snapping trees like small sticks,” he said. “While we mourn the lives lost, it’s a credit to the systems in place that the losses weren’t as significant as they could have been.”

He closed by commending the solidarity displayed by Jamaicans and the broader Caribbean community.

“The resilience of the Caribbean people, and Jamaicans in particular, is remarkable. Even though the road to recovery may seem long, there’s solidarity, both locally and internationally. We must continue to let our humanity shine as we move forward together,” he said.

The findings from CARPHA’s assessment will be presented to the Government of Jamaica, particularly the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), for review and integration into national recovery plans. A briefing with national stakeholders was scheduled for Thursday evening.

CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Disease Control, Dr Horace Cox and members of the Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) are currently in Jamaica conducting a health needs assessment across several parishes in the aftermath of Category Five Hurricane Melissa.