The Trap of Speed in Jamaica’s Recovery

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, this article examines the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA) as a vital shift in Jamaica's approach to disaster recovery. The text argues that the storm exposed systemic fragilities in national infrastructure, proving that traditional emergency responses are insufficient for the complex task of long-term rebuilding. Rather than prioritising mere speed, the author advocates for deliberate urgency and a focus on decentralising essential services like power and telecommunications to ensure future stability. This new authority aims to move beyond temporary fixes by integrating climate adaptation and sophisticated governance into the country's physical and social framework. Ultimately, the source serves as a call for strategic wisdom and structural reform to protect the nation against an increasingly volatile environment.