Dear Editor,

I am writing to express both my deep concern and strong conviction regarding the recovery efforts underway in western Jamaica following the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

Having personally visited family members, friends, and my church family in areas such as north-east and north-west St Elizabeth as well as south and north Trelawny, I have witnessed first-hand the resilience of our people. They are thanking God for spared life and immediately picking up zinc sheets to replace what was blown off — an understandable impulse for shelter.

However, a crisis is unfolding beneath this commendable spirit of resilience. My visual inspections revealed that many homes had rotted or improperly constructed rafters and lathes. While the ad-hoc repairs provide immediate relief, the improper construction of roofs and ceilings will undoubtedly lead to a greater, long-term catastrophe in the future. We are, essentially, rebuilding structures that remain just as vulnerable to the next major storm.

We must not waste this crisis; we must use it to build back stronger.

I propose that the Government, through agencies such as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), immediately implement a targeted, structured roof reconstruction programme for the estimated 116,000 affected homes.

We do not need to reinvent the wheel. In 2010, following Hurricane Gustav, a highly effective model was executed — the ‘Safe Roof Reconstruction’ project. This initiative involved a successful partnership between Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the HEART Trust/NTA (now HEART/NSTA Trust), and experienced carpenters to reroof homes in parishes such as St Mary, Portland, and St Andrew. I was personally involved in that project, and I firmly believe those homes today possess stronger, more storm-resilient roofs.

A similar team-based model for Western Jamaica should focus on three critical actions:

1) Site advisement: Provide guidance to homeowners and communities on the long-term feasibility of rebuilding on existing sites, especially in highly vulnerable areas.

2) Professional execution: Mobilise skilled teams to execute proper, code-compliant roof construction to ensure structures can withstand future storms.

3) Public education campaign: Launch a robust campaign to educate individuals on proper roofing techniques, such as fastening zinc sheets with screws instead of nails for significantly improved wind resistance.

The Hurricane Melissa crisis presents an opportunity to address the vulnerability that poor construction and maintenance have created over decades. By emulating the successful Gustav model we can invest in the long-term safety and security of our rural citizens and ensure that their resilience is matched by the strength of their homes.

I urge the relevant authorities to act decisively and implement a structured reconstruction programme before the next hurricane season arrives.

Denworth Finnikin

denworth.finnikin@gmail.com