Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A real-time audit of the Government’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative has uncovered glaring weaknesses in the procurement practices at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
The audit, which was conducted by the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD), also found that dozens of Starlink devices that were purchased to ensure connectivity in the hardest-hit parishes were never delivered but remained in storage.
The audit, which focused on governance, oversight, and the receipt and distribution processes for Starlink devices, was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
It 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.
The report covers the oversight responsibilities of the National Disaster Fund Committee (NDFC), procurement activities from the National Disaster Fund (NDF), acquisition and distribution of Starlink devices and inventory and stores management.
The AuGD said data provided by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MoFPS), show that a total of 420 contracts have been awarded in response to Hurricane Melissa, amounting to $11.13 billion.
The report analyses the procurement activities conducted by ODPEM utilising the $350 million authorised for withdrawal from the NDF. According to the AuGD, ODPEM has so far drawn down $207 million from the fund.
Among its key findings, the audit highlights that the
NDFC did not effectively oversee the management of the NDF.
“The committee mandated to provide policy oversight, general administration, and effective management of the NDF, convened only twice during its tenure, with the last meeting held in June 2022,” the report stated.
It noted that the committee was appointed in September 2020, and its term expired in September 2023. “However, as at December 2025, there was no evidence of any new appointments, indicating non‐compliance with the requirements of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act”.
The report also found that the National Disaster Fund Guidelines document, which is intended to support the administration of the NDF, remained in draft as at December 2025.
In its response to the auditor general last month, ODPEM stated that it “will make the necessary representation to the MoFPS, regarding the appointment of a new Fund Committee, and will conclude its review of the draft committee guidelines no later than January 30, 2026…” ODPEM committed to submit same for signature by the appropriate authority.
Of note is that section 40 of the DRM Act requires the financial secretary to approve withdrawals from the NDF after consulting the NDFC. However, at the time the director general of ODPEM requested $350 million for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, no committee had been appointed. The financial secretary subsequently approved the withdrawal of the $350 million from the NDF
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