Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction in Jamaica, with estimated damages amounting to a staggering $8.8 billion, according to a joint report by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This figure represents the highest recorded damage in the country’s history, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The assessment was conducted using the Global Rapid Damage Estimation (GRADE) method, which evaluates physical damage immediately after a disaster. The analysis focused on housing, non-residential buildings, infrastructure, and the agricultural sector, though broader economic losses are expected to be significantly higher. Preliminary findings reveal that 41% of the damage is attributed to housing, 33% to infrastructure, 21% to non-residential buildings, and 5% to the agricultural sector. Despite the relatively low percentage, the agricultural sector is anticipated to suffer substantial economic losses due to prolonged disruptions in production and distribution. Susana Cordeiro Guerra, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized Jamaica’s resilience and strong leadership culture as key factors in the recovery process. The World Bank and IDB have pledged full support, including emergency funding, technical assistance, and long-term resilience-building programs. The GRADE method, supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and Japan’s Ministry of Finance, provides a rapid, independent assessment of physical damage, offering a preliminary understanding of the disaster’s impact. Jamaica, in collaboration with the IDB, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, will now proceed with a comprehensive damage and loss analysis to guide effective and sustainable reconstruction efforts.