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.