Hurricane Melissa Causes Widespread Destruction in Black River Jamaica and Santiago de Cuba Hospitals

Hurricane Melissa has caused extensive destruction in Black River, St Elizabeth, Jamaica, with Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness reporting that 80 to 90 percent of roofs were destroyed and key infrastructure, including Black River Hospital, churches, and historic buildings, severely damaged or wiped out. The electricity and telecommunications networks in the area are heavily impacted, complicating relief efforts, which are currently focused on clearing roadways to facilitate the delivery of supplies and emergency assistance. Among the cultural losses, the historic St. John Parish Anglican Church, over 300 years old, was catastrophically damaged, marking a significant blow to Jamaica's heritage and community identity. In Cuba, the Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Hospital in Santiago suffered severe structural damage from the hurricane's high winds, exposing vulnerabilities in the healthcare system already strained by shortages and infrastructure neglect. Despite assurances of preparedness, the hospital endured detached roofs, shattered windows, and flooding, highlighting the challenges faced by Cuban medical facilities in withstanding such disasters. Recovery and rebuilding efforts are underway in both countries, with local officials urging caution amid ongoing assessments and relief operations.