Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson has issued a rallying cry for national unity and strategic rebuilding in the wake of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, Patterson emphasized that the recovery effort must transcend political and denominational divides, urging Jamaicans to come together with a shared purpose. He stressed the importance of building smarter, given Jamaica’s vulnerability to natural disasters, and proposed revisiting past initiatives to guide the current response. Patterson highlighted the success of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), established after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, as a model for efficient and transparent disaster management. He commended Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his administration for their preparedness and initial response but underscored the need for long-term planning and community involvement. Patterson advocated for innovative construction methods and materials to ensure resilience against future hurricanes, which he noted are becoming more frequent and severe. He also called for bipartisan cooperation and legislative action to address both immediate and long-term needs, emphasizing that rebuilding efforts must account for Jamaica’s susceptibility to natural disasters and the cultural habits of its people.