KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding has criticised the pace of recovery efforts in western Jamaica, arguing that thousands of families affected by Hurricane Melissa are still awaiting assistance one year after the catastrophic storm devastated sections of the island.

In a message marking the first anniversary of the hurricane on Wednesday, October 28, Golding accused the Government of failing to deliver timely relief to affected residents, particularly those who remain without adequate housing and support to rebuild their livelihoods.

The category five hurricane made landfall at New Hope in Westmoreland on October 28, 2025, leaving widespread destruction across several western parishes.

Golding said the storm claimed 45 lives, damaged more than 156,000 dwellings and completely destroyed approximately 24,000 homes. He also pointed to the lasting psychological impact of the disaster, claiming that nearly 600,000 Jamaicans continue to carry some form of trauma from the experience.

“Today marks a year since Hurricane Melissa changed your lives forever,” Golding said, extending condolences to families in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover and Trelawny who lost loved ones.

He also acknowledged the struggles of farmers, fisherfolk and small business operators whose livelihoods were severely affected by the hurricane.

“To the thousands still waiting for help, still living under tarpaulins or fighting for the roof over your head, you have not been forgotten,” he declared.

The Opposition Leader said his visits to affected communities had exposed significant shortcomings in the recovery process, which he described as excessively slow and burdened by bureaucracy.

“I’ve seen a recovery effort that has been just too slow, too bureaucratic, too disconnected from the people that it’s supposed to serve,” Golding said.

He singled out the Government’s ROOFS programme, claiming that it had failed to provide the promised assistance to many households in need.

Golding also raised concerns about what he described as the failure to establish a public reconstruction dashboard and alleged that donated funds had remained unused while affected families continued to struggle.

“The ROOFS programme has not delivered the promised relief to so many who need it. The reconstruction dashboard has never materialised. The donated funds have sat idle while families suffer. It’s just not acceptable,” he stated.

Golding said the People’s National Party (PNP) had proposed several measures aimed at accelerating recovery and improving transparency in the reconstruction process.

Among the proposals are the establishment of a public reconstruction dashboard to track expenditure and project implementation, a dedicated recovery facility for farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses, and measures to expedite the settlement of insurance claims.

The Opposition is also advocating climate-resilient reconstruction and a special land titling programme to provide affected families with greater security of tenure as they rebuild their homes.

Golding maintained that the Opposition would continue to press for greater accountability and faster delivery of assistance to hurricane victims.

“We will keep pressing. We will keep demanding accountability. We will not rest until every family in the West has a safe roof, a restored livelihood, and the hope of a better tomorrow,” he said.

He closed his anniversary message by reaffirming his party’s commitment to supporting communities still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.

“One year on, the pain is still real, but so is our resolve. Jamaica has not forgotten the West, and I have not forgotten you,” Golding said.