Rwandan military engineers have started reconstruction and repair work in Jamaica today, following their recent deployment to assist communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The Rwandan team, operating alongside the Jamaican Defence Forces and local authorities, is focusing on repairing homes destroyed by the storm and providing humanitarian support to displaced families in St. James Parish.
The intervention aims to help Jamaica recover faster and restore normal living conditions for affected residents.
Col. Moses Kayigamba, head of the Rwandan engineering unit in Jamaica, said the mission is about more than just rebuilding infrastructure.
“This effort demonstrates the value of partnership and solidarity with the people of Jamaica, while also contributing to long-term disaster resilience,” he said.
The operation is coordinated with local government authorities and the Jamaican Defence Forces, ensuring reconstruction aligns with national recovery priorities.
The Rwandan engineers arrived in Jamaica on January 15, 2026, under a bilateral agreement and are part of the Rwandan Defence Forces’ engineering brigade.
Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica in late 2025, caused widespread destruction, particularly in St. Elizabeth and Black River, with winds reaching 298 km/h.
The storm killed 45 people, left over 15 missing, damaged more than 120,000 homes, and affected approximately 626,000 residents, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Today’s launch of reconstruction activities marks a major milestone in Rwanda’s support for international disaster relief, demonstrating how military expertise can be mobilized quickly to assist communities in crisis.
