Dear Editor,

Four weeks after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in sections of Jamaica, an opportunity arose through my church community to support the humanitarian response effort. This involved providing care packages to two communities in the parish of Hanover. These communities were identified through discussions with the local authorities, who indicated that they were underserved.

When the group arrived in the communities we were greeted with an unexpected sense of normality. Greenery was slowly reappearing, damaged buildings showed signs of repair, and it was evident that the residents wanted to return to life before Melissa. As a result, the communities appeared less affected than the images from the parishes of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland, where the storm made landfall.

Based solely on these observations, the group decided to move on to nearby communities they believed needed more help. The decision made me wonder if we made the right call — should we have judged the community’s needs based on its physical appearance weeks after a disaster?

Reports from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggest that we may not have made the best decision. They indicate that the severity of a storm influences the duration of recovery and the provision of aid. A Category Five storm, such as Hurricane Melissa, inflicts more extensive damage and has a greater impact than a Category One or Category Two storm. Consequently, it may take several months or even years to deliver assistance to affected individuals following a major storm.

For instance, category one and two storms typically require emergency support for a few days to weeks, followed by several weeks to months to restore basic services and complete repairs. In contrast, storms categorised as three to five require ongoing aid for several weeks, including food and medical assistance, and their recovery process can extend over months or even years.

We overlooked the resilience demonstrated by the two communities, which served as a coping mechanism in the face of adversity. Moving forward, it is recommended to adopt a community-based approach when evaluating post-disaster needs. These include:

• Engage with local communities: Liaise with individuals, community leaders, and local authorities to accurately identify needs as they have an in-depth knowledge of the community and the location of vulnerable people;

• Data collection: Utilise qualitative and quantitative methods to gather information that supports sound decision-making;

• Collaborate with partners: Look for opportunities to work with local authorities, government officials, and external partners to gain a comprehensive understanding of community needs.

As Jamaica continues to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, it is crucial to adopt a people-centred and community-based approach to accurately assess post-disaster needs. Those offering help must look beyond appearances and take a deliberate, targeted approach that reflects the realities of vulnerable individuals. After all, appearances can be misleading.

Tameka Claudius

Administrator and researcher

The University of the West Indies, Mona campus

tameka.claudius@uwimona.edu.jm