Regional agencies assess Hurricane Melissa response in after-action review

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in collaboration with Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and regional partners, recently convened a three-day After-Action Review (AAR) to evaluate the Caribbean’s response to Hurricane Melissa.

The exercise brought together disaster management officials, regional institutions, United Nations agencies, security forces, civil society groups and development partners to assess the effectiveness of the response, identify gaps and strengthen future preparedness efforts.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms in the region’s history, made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 system. The hurricane caused extensive damage across several territories, including Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Jamaica, particularly its western parishes, sustained the most severe impact.

Ahead of the storm, CDEMA activated its Regional Coordination Plan and continued to support response efforts into early 2026, issuing multiple situation reports to guide regional decision-making.

The review examined key components of the response, including early warning systems, coordination between national and regional agencies, and operational effectiveness across sectors such as health, shelter, logistics, telecommunications and recovery. It also assessed financing mechanisms and the transition from emergency response to long-term recovery.

ODPEM Director General, Commander Alvin Gayle, described the review as a vital opportunity for reflection and improvement.

“This review allows us to assess what worked, identify gaps, and take practical steps to strengthen regional coordination and disaster response,” he said.

CDEMA Executive Director Elizabeth Riley commended the overall regional response but acknowledged areas requiring improvement, particularly in logistics, staffing and ensuring that relief supplies align with actual needs on the ground.

She noted that the findings will help guide the development of a more robust and coordinated Regional Response Mechanism.

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The outcomes of the review are expected to be presented at CDEMA’s Technical Advisory Committee meeting in April and will inform ongoing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience across the Caribbean.