Ainsley Brown | Crucial role of logistics in Jamaica’s disaster recovery

Hurricane Melissa has underscored a timeless principle. Logistics is not simply about moving goods; it’s about enabling continuity, restoring order, and saving lives.

This truth has never been clearer than in the immediate aftermath of Melissa, demonstrating how logistics governs every phase of disaster recovery.

Melissa revealed both strengths and weaknesses in Jamaica’s logistics ecosystem, from the robustness of our ports and airports to the vulnerabilities in our inland and last-mile networks. It also highlighted opportunities to build a smarter, more agile logistics strategy that aligns with global best practices and Jamaica’s broader development goals.

Despite hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, critical gateways like Kingston Freeport Terminal, Kingston Wharves, Norman Manley International Airport, Ian Flemming International Airport and Sangster International Airport remained largely intact. This operational continuity proved vital. It ensured that essential relief supplies reach the island swiftly.

However, resilience at the gateways is only one part of the logistics equation. The challenge now lies in the distribution of aid inland, where road damage and blocked access routes delayed supply of relief. The hurricane caused severe damage to road infrastructure, impeding the movement of aid and resources to inland and rural communities.

This gap exposes a fundamental truth about logistics strategy: resilience must extend from entry point to endpoint. Strengthening this continuum – from ports to people – requires systemic thinking, integrated planning, and adaptive technologies.

APPLYING THE SEVEN RIGHTS

To fully appreciate logistics’ importance, one must understand the “Seven Rights” – a foundational framework critical in disaster response:

1. Right product: Supplying the specific aid needed, such as potable water, medical kits, or shelter materials.

2. Right quantity: Delivering adequate supplies to meet actual demand without causing waste.

3. Right condition: Ensuring supplies are intact, safe, and usable upon arrival.

4. Right place: Getting aid precisely where it’s needed, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

5. Right time: Delivering supplies promptly to prevent prolonged suffering or worsening conditions.

6. Right customer: Targeting the correct groups, including vulnerable populations affected by the disaster.

7. Right cost: Managing budget constraints while maximising efficiency and impact.

In Jamaica’s case, the challenge of road damage threatens the “Right Place” and “Right Time” aspects of logistics. Even with supplies arriving at ports and airports, poor last-mile delivery could delay aid precisely when it is most crucial.

CRITICAL BOTTLENECK

Unfortunately, Hurricane Melissa exposed a significant vulnerability: Jamaica’s road infrastructure suffered heavy damage from landslides, fallen trees, and flooding. Many roads became impassable, severing vital supply routes and isolating entire communities.

This failure raises a critical question: What happens when a vital link in the logistics chain collapses?

Without functioning roads, the delivery of aid stalls. The “Right Place” and “Right Time” become incredibly difficult to achieve. Even with supplies flowing into ports, the inability to distribute them inland leaves affected populations vulnerable.

LEVERAGING LOW ALTITUDE ECONOMY

To address these challenges, it’s essential to rethink and diversify logistics strategies, such as to leverage alternative transport modes. Given the road damage and insufficient or inadequate landing areas, relying heavily on ground transport or even helicopter airlift is risky. Jamaica must expand the use of air transport and emerging technologies such as drones.

To overcome distribution bottlenecks, Jamaica must embrace innovative logistics solutions aligned with the low altitude economy (LAE). The LAE encompasses commercial and governmental activities using airspace typically below 500 feet, including drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), air taxis, and other lightweight aircraft technologies. This burgeoning sector offers transformative possibilities for disaster management and logistics.

Drones have been used to deliver vaccines in Rwanda, assess flood damage in Indonesia, and drop emergency kits in conflict zones. Jamaica can adopt and adapt these innovations. The challenge now is to expand its use beyond reconnaissance. Drones can deliver vital supplies to communities isolated by damaged roads, ensuring timely aid delivery even amid infrastructure breakdown.

Integrating drone logistics into Jamaica’s disaster management framework requires regulatory readiness, operator training, and public-private partnerships. The Civil Aviation Authority, in collaboration with universities and logistics operators, could develop a Drone Emergency Response Programme that pre-positions drone fleets at strategic hubs across the island.

This approach not only enhances resilience, but also strengthens Jamaica’s credentials as a forward-thinking logistics hub, one capable of applying innovation under pressure. Demonstrating cutting-edge, adaptable logistics solutions during crises builds confidence with international partners and investors.

DEFINING MOMENT

Melissa’s impact is a critical stress test of Jamaica’s logistics mettle. The island’s ability to maintain order and deliver ordered aid amid chaos will shape its reputation as a logistics leader in the Caribbean and beyond. The hurricane exposed vulnerabilities in the inland distribution network, but also showcased strong points, especially the resilience of maritime and aviation gateways and the growing potential of drone integration.

Disaster recovery is a complex, multifaceted challenge where logistics makes the difference between chaos and control. Jamaica’s experience with Hurricane Melissa vividly illustrates this point. While ports and airports held firm, the real test will be in delivering aid through damaged roads and reaching isolated populations. Leveraging the Seven Rights of logistics alongside innovative low-altitude economy tools like drones will be key to overcoming these hurdles.

Jamaica’s experience is a vivid reminder that logistics is not just about moving goods; it’s about anticipating, adapting, and overcoming disruptions to maintain order amid chaos.

Ainsley Brown is a logistics and special economic zones consultant, adjunct lecturer in logistics and supply chain management at the Mona School of Business and Management and UWI Five Islands Campus. Send feedback to brown.ainsleyc@gmail.com