KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has announced the allocation of an initial $35 million to support teachers severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

This initial sum was approved at a meeting of the central executive, which was convened on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The JTA, through the leadership of President Mark Malabver, has developed and approved a comprehensive national relief and recovery plan designed to address the immediate and long-term needs of teachers. The plan, which was presented and endorsed by the central executive committee, reflects the association’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and recovery of its members.

“This is not only a financial intervention; it is a statement of solidarity, compassion and purpose. Our teachers have once again borne the brunt of a national disaster, yet they continue to show extraordinary resilience. It is our duty as their representatives to ensure that they are supported in rebuilding their lives and homes,” Malabver noted.

Of the $35 million mobilised from the JTA’s investment portfolio, $3 million will be allocated for immediate relief supplies (food, toiletries, emergency kits), $2 million will be dedicated to logistical support, including transportation and distribution and $30 million will go toward infrastructure recovery and rebuilding assistance.

To ensure fairness, transparency and data-driven decision-making, the infrastructure funds will be distributed across the JTA’s four regions using a 5:4:2:1 ratio, with the south central and western regions receiving the highest allocations due to the severity of the damage.

Assessments to guide this allocation will be conducted by regional executives, working closely with parish and district association presidents, to identify teachers in need and determine the scale of losses sustained.

A National Disaster Relief Oversight Committee (NDROC) has been established to manage and monitor all aspects of the relief process. The committee, chaired by the JTA president, includes senior officers, trustees and committee chairs responsible for finance, properties, membership, and professional advancement.

NDROC will ensure that all disbursements and donations are handled with full transparency, equity and accountability.

Recognising that the emotional toll of Hurricane Melissa has been as devastating as the physical loss, the JTA will also implement a series of psychosocial initiatives. These include the expansion of its counselling on demand programmes, the implementation of an online psychosocial support programme and the launch of crisis leadership and management training for teachers and school leaders, in collaboration with the association’s international partners such as American Federation of Teachers and Education International.