(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – In the wake of hurricane Melissa, Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) president Ilan Goldfajn joined Caribbean heads of state in a visit to Jamaica's devastated areas to offer solidarity and support in the country's urgent response and recovery efforts.

Jamaica's preparedness - including disaster risk financing IDB's Contingent Credit Facility (CCF) - will help limit the immediate fallout.

Recovery planning is now under way focusing on key priorities and strengthening resilience.

The IDB Group is supporting this effort not just with financing, but with technical expertise to help turn recovery into long-term resilience. Within a package totalling US$1.26 billion of financing and US$4.7 million of technical cooperation grants, the bank has made available rapid financing tools and technical support planning and coordination across two phases - emergency and reconstruction.

For the emergency phase, Jamaica's CCF was recently expanded, with US$300 million available for parametric events - helping the country mobilise emergency relief while protecting fiscal space. In addition, the bank has made available US$500,000 in emergency humanitarian support, together with US$2.15 million in technical cooperation grants.

Building forward better – together

For the recovery and reconstruction phase, the IDB Group is working with the Government, the World Bank and other partners on priority areas where its technical experience and long-standing engagement can deliver sustained impact.

The support package includes up to US$960 million in sovereign financing and US$2.05 million in technical cooperation grants.

Health: Planning to rebuild hospitals and health centers in high-impact areas, including relocation, retrofitting, and digital upgrades.

Water: Coordinating with the National Water Commission to restore services, assess damage, and develop a sector-wide resilience plan using HydroBID.

Energy: Preparing a joint public–private proposal for grid modernisation, building on IDB Invest's existing engagement with Jamaica's power utility and partnering with World Bank IFC

Housing: Supporting Jamaica in rebuilding the housing sector - including technical assistance and financing for the three phases that the government of Jamaica is planning, which include immediate emergency temporary housing, short-term shelters and long-term reconstruction for the thousands of people who have lost their homes in the disaster-affected western parishes.

Private capital will be essential - not only to scale recovery, but to preserve fiscal space. That's why IDB Group regional platforms are designed to blend public and private solutions from the outset.

“Coming here straight from COP30 is a reminder: Resilience isn't tomorrow's agenda - it's crucial today,” said Goldfajn.“We're supporting Jamaica to rebuild stronger, avoid future losses, and protect lives. That's what resilience means.”

A more resilient Caribbean

Jamaica's recovery is also part of a broader regional effort. Caribbean countries - including Barbados and Guyana - have mobilised solidarity and resources. While the immediate response showed strong unity, medium and long-term recovery will require deeper systems, resilient infrastructure, and financing tools that protect public budgets.

The IDB Group is contributing to that agenda through regional platforms such as ONE Caribbean, Ready and Resilient Americas, and financial innovations like the new Caribbean Multi-Guarantor Debt-for-Resilience Initiative, launched at COP30 with CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

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