Auditor General's Department

Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative Audit- Financial Management

Shantae Gordon — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:58:42 +0000

This report is the third in a series of audit reports intended to evaluate multiple aspects of the Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative. On October 28, 2025, Jamaica was severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, a category five hurricane that caused widespread devastation especially in the western areas of the island. The government launched a coordinated relief effort, with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) as the central agency responsible for emergency response and recovery operations.

The audit sought to examine whether ODPEM effectively ensured the transparency and accountability of resources received and utilised under the Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative. In addition, the audit evaluated the adequacy of internal control systems designed to prevent and detect potential fraud, waste, and abuse of public resources during disaster response and recovery activities. Specifically, this report focuses on the financial management of donated funds, the utilisation of the funds to effectively respond to citizens’ needs following Hurricane Melissa and highlights further gaps in the oversight of the National Disaster Fund.

This report was tabled in Parliament on May 12, 2026.

Assessment of Jamaica’s Climate Response (ClimateScanner)

Andre Allen — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:06:29 +0000

The ClimateScanner Assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of Jamaica’s climate resilience, adaptation strategies, and mitigation targets. This report presents the results of our rapid assessment, highlighting Jamaica’s efforts and progress in aligning with international climate commitments and addressing the challenges faced by our vulnerable sectors such as tourism, health, coastal resources, housing, and water.

The ClimateScanner assessment revealed that Jamaica has made notable progress in advancing its climate agenda through strategic planning, institutional development, and increased ambition in climate policy. Across all three axes – governance, public policy, and climate finance – Jamaica demonstrated a clear commitment to aligning with international frameworks, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The adoption of the Climate Change Policy Framework (CCPF) and the Long-Term Emissions Reduction and Climate-Resilience Strategy (LTS) marked important steps in formalizing climate governance and long-term vision. However, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) needs to meet its commitment to develop climate legislation to create legally enforceable standards and oversight mechanisms as well as ensure that efforts towards strengthening coordination between national and local levels are achieved.

This report has been tabled in Parliament on March 10, 2026.

Progress Towards Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Actions and Plans

Adrian McNeil — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:02:36 +0000

Vision 2030 Jamaica National Development Plan (NDP) positions climate change adaptation as afoundational element of national development, embedding resilience and sustainability into policy, planning, and investment. Under Goal 4: Jamaica has a healthy natural environment, Vision 2030 NDP prioritizes (i) the sustainable management and use of environmental and natural resources (National Outcome 13) and (ii) hazard risk reduction and adaptation to climate change (National Outcome 14). Linking adaptation to Vision 2030 NDP ensures Jamaica’s long-term growth strategy directly addresses climate risks and protects natural assets.

In line with the Auditor General’s mandate to hold the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) accountable for effective policy execution and prudent use of funds, the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD) assessed Jamaica’s progress towards the implementation of climate change adaptation plans and actions led by the ministry with responsibility for climate change, executed through the Climate Change Branch (CCB) within then Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), now re-designated to the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change (MWECC). The audit examined adaptation planning and actions undertaken between 2018/19 and 2024/25, against the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica and whether stakeholder roles and responsibilities were sufficiently coordinated for effective implementation.

This report has been tabled in Parliament on March 10, 2026.