The Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, has praised the Rwanda Defence Force for its support in helping communities recover after the devastating Hurricane Melissa.
Rwandan troops have spent the past two months working alongside Jamaican forces to rebuild homes that were destroyed by the powerful storm. During that period, they helped construct 62 houses that had been damaged by the disaster.
Beyond rebuilding homes, the joint effort also focused on improving education facilities. Additional classrooms were constructed, and a residential facility that accommodates children with disabilities was renovated.
During a recent meeting, Col Déo Mutabazi delivered a message from Mubarakh Muganga, expressing appreciation for the strong cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.
Mutabazi emphasized that Rwanda values its partnership with Jamaica and is ready to strengthen collaboration in other areas in the future.
Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman commended the Rwandan troops for their dedication and professionalism while working in local communities.
“It is something we truly appreciate. For two months they have been working closely with our communities, identifying what needs to be done. We have not heard any complaints, and they have set a very positive example here in Jamaica,” she said.
The rebuilding initiative has played a major role in helping families affected by the hurricane regain stability and rebuild their lives.
Reports indicate that Hurricane Melissa caused destruction estimated at around $8.8 billion across affected areas.
Rwandan forces were deployed to Jamaica on January 14, 2026, under a cooperation agreement between the two governments aimed at assisting with the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.
The hurricane struck parts of the Caribbean toward the end of last year, with Jamaica suffering some of the most severe damage in the region. As a result, the country sought international assistance to support recovery efforts across different sectors.