UNICEF helps storm-hit communities recover from Melissa

More than four months after Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica, restoring water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in schools is still critical in helping children return safely to learning.

While the destruction to roads, homes, schools, and livelihoods was immediate and visible, less visible was the contamination of water sources and the breakdown of sanitation systems caused by widespread flooding.

Families in the hardest-hit parishes faced uncertainty about whether water was safe to drink, cook with, or bathe in. Public health authorities confirmed cases of leptospirosis and spikes in dengue and diarrhoeal illness, diseases that pose risks for children.

To reduce these risks, UNICEF supported the delivery of safe water to nearly 54,000 people through water trucking, treatment, and the distribution of purification tablets, 1,000-gallon water tanks, and containers.

In Westmoreland alone, more than four million litres of treated water were made available through a network of community and health facility water points, in partnership with organisations such as Water Mission.

Hygiene supplies reached more than 25,000 people, while 100 schools received cleaning materials to help students return safely.

"Restoring and strengthening water, sanitation and hygiene systems is essential to rebuilding safely and sustainably," said Olga Isaza, UNICEF representative.

"Reliable WASH services in schools and health facilities protect children's health, support consistent learning, and help communities emerge from this crisis more resilient."

In the hardest-hit parishes, communities are actively engaging in social and behaviour change sessions that promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices.

Alongside this effort, UNICEF is installing 20 new communal water points in the most affected areas and procuring essential vector control supplies and water treatment resources. These combined actions aim to strengthen families' ability to protect their health and restore a sense of safety and dignity in their daily lives.

The rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure in 50 schools and 20 health facilities remains a priority. At the same time, work continues with Rural Water Supply Limited to rehabilitate community water systems through the replacement of solar panels in Manchester, St James and St Elizabeth.