Accountability needed for hurricane relief donations 

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The recent revelations published in The Gleaner regarding the handling of donations intended for Hurricane Melissa victims should concern everyone who contributed, volunteered, or prayed for families affected by the disaster. 

At a time when thousands of citizens remain displaced, struggling to rebuild homes, farms, and livelihoods, it is deeply troubling that such a small percentage of the donated funds have reportedly been spent months after the hurricane devastated sections of the island. 

When people give during times of crisis, they do so with the expectation that the money will quickly reach those in desperate need. Any delay, uncertainty, or lack of transparency surrounding the use of these funds damages public trust and raises serious concerns about accountability within state agencies responsible for disaster relief. 

It is unacceptable for significant sums to remain unused while families continue living under damaged roofs, without proper sanitation, electricity, or access to basic necessities. Equally worrying are the reported gaps in documentation relating to building materials and contract payments. 

Every dollar donated for relief must be fully accounted for through transparent systems that allow the public to know how funds are collected, allocated, and spent. Jamaicans deserve clear explanations regarding who approved expenditures, what projects were funded, how beneficiaries were selected, and why delays occurred. 

Jamaica cannot afford to approach disaster management with weak oversight or poor coordination. Strong systems must be established to ensure that emergency donations are distributed efficiently, fairly, and transparently. Independent monitoring mechanisms should also be strengthened so that taxpayers and donors can have confidence that relief resources are reaching intended recipients and not being trapped in bureaucracy. 

All relevant agencies must understand that accountability is not optional when handling public donations. Transparency builds confidence, while secrecy and delays create suspicion and frustration. People who contribute during national emergencies should never be left wondering whether their contributions reached struggling families. 

This situation should serve as a wake-up call to modernise Jamaica’s disaster relief management systems. Public reporting on donations and expenditure should be frequent, detailed, and easily accessible. Communities affected by Hurricane Melissa deserve urgent assistance. Most importantly, every donation for hurricane victims must be properly managed and delivered to those truly in need. 

Generosity depends on trust. That trust must now be protected through greater accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of relief funds. 

ROBERT DALLEY

robertdalleyr@proton.me