The government of Jamaica has formally expressed gratitude to Rwanda for sending troops to assist in rebuilding infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean nation in late 2025.
The appreciation was conveyed by Antonette Wemyss-Gorman during a meeting with Deo Mutabazi, Rwanda’s Military and Security Adviser to the United Nations and its representative for military affairs in Jamaica.
The talks, held at the headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force in Kingston, were also attended by Moses Kayigamba, who led the team of Rwanda Defence Force engineers deployed to support reconstruction.
Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman praised Rwanda’s leadership for rapidly sending personnel to aid Jamaican communities affected by the hurricane.
Col. Mutabazi delivered a message from Mubarakh Muganga, expressing gratitude for the strong collaboration between the Rwandan and Jamaican armed forces. He emphasized that Rwanda is committed to continuing and expanding cooperation with Jamaica in future initiatives.
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, causing severe damage, particularly in the parishes of Saint Elizabeth Parish and Black River. Meteorological authorities reported wind speeds reaching 298 kilometers per hour.
The storm claimed 45 lives, left more than 15 people missing, destroyed over 120,000 homes, and damaged 450 schools. In total, approximately 626,000 people were affected, with at least 950 rendered homeless.
On January 14, 2026, Rwanda deployed a team of military engineers to Jamaica to assist in repairing the hurricane’s damage. Over the following two months, Rwandan troops, working alongside the Jamaica Defence Force, rebuilt 62 destroyed homes, expanded classrooms in several schools, and renovated a residential center for children with disabilities.
This collaboration highlights the strong military and humanitarian partnership between Rwanda and Jamaica and underscores the importance of international support in disaster recovery.
