On November 16, 2025, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, accompanied by his wife and Minister Maria Browne, will lead a CARICOM delegation to Jamaica to express solidarity with the nation following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa. The delegation, set to depart on Monday morning, will focus on Montego Bay and surrounding communities in St. James, areas severely affected by the Category 5 storm. The visit aims to assess recovery efforts, support regional coordination, and meet with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and local leaders. Prime Minister Browne emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, ‘As CARICOM brothers and sisters, we cannot stand by when one of our own is suffering. Jamaica has endured an unimaginable blow, and we must rally around its people — not just in messages of comfort, but with action, coordinated support, and a shared commitment to rebuild.’ Minister Maria Browne also expressed her sorrow and hope for renewal and unity in the Caribbean. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28, 2025, caused widespread devastation, including 28 fatalities, severe infrastructure damage, and economic losses estimated at US$6-7 billion, or 28-32% of Jamaica’s GDP. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but challenges such as blocked roads, fallen power lines, and massive debris remain. Regional organizations like the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have mobilized swiftly to provide aid and coordinate recovery. The CARICOM delegation’s visit underscores the region’s unity and commitment to long-term reconstruction and climate resilience. Prime Minister Browne called for regional and international support to rebuild stronger and smarter, emphasizing that ‘climate change is not coming, it is already here.’ The mission highlights CARICOM’s leadership and solidarity in the face of disaster, reaffirming that when one Caribbean nation falters, the rest stand ready to help lift it up.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne joins CARICOM Solidarity Mission to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
