KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has approved two resolutions following a meeting of its Central Executive on Sunday, signalling full support for the Government’s strengthened Hurricane Melissa recovery programme and confirming the cancellation of the party’s 2025 Annual Conference.

JLP Chairman Robert Montague said the first resolution expressed the executive’s “strong support” for the Government’s directive to state agencies, departments and institutions to intensify relief and rebuilding efforts across communities impacted by the Category 5 storm, which made landfall on October 28.

The resolution noted the scale of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, described as one of the strongest systems ever to hit Jamaica, and highlighted the Government’s pre- and post-impact response, including insurance arrangements, shelter preparations, drain clearance, strategic positioning of relief supplies, and collaboration with public and private partners to distribute approximately 200,000 care packages.

It also acknowledged that electricity has been restored to 80 per cent of consumers and water to about 70 per cent of the island, while the distribution of building materials and wider reconstruction planning are already underway. Despite this, the executive recognised that “thousands of lives have been disrupted” and that some residents remain without shelter and basic utilities.

The resolution further extended condolences to families who lost loved ones or property in the hurricane and reaffirmed support for accelerated recovery efforts.

A second resolution approved by the Central Executive confirmed the cancellation of the JLP’s 2025 Annual Conference, citing the party’s focus on national recovery. It also endorsed the re-election en bloc of all members of the party’s officer corps.

Both resolutions were formally adopted on Sunday.