What's happened
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica in October, causing extensive damage and fatalities. Experts warn of increased PTSD risks among survivors and healthcare staff. Meanwhile, relief funds for Hurricane Helene in the US remain unpaid, highlighting ongoing recovery challenges and federal aid delays two years after the storm.
What's behind the headline?
The long-term mental health impact of hurricanes is often overlooked in disaster recovery. The case of Jamaica illustrates how trauma persists well after physical rebuilding, with mental health professionals warning of increased PTSD risks among both residents and hospital staff. This highlights a critical gap in disaster policy, which tends to prioritize infrastructure over psychological support.
Meanwhile, the US situation underscores systemic issues in disaster aid delivery. Despite widespread devastation, nearly half a billion dollars in relief funds for Hurricane Helene remain unpaid, reflecting bureaucratic delays and political inertia. Senator Warnockâs push for faster FEMA disbursement reveals a disconnect between disaster response expectations and reality.
Both stories demonstrate that recovery extends beyond physical reconstruction. Effective disaster management must integrate mental health services and streamline aid processes to mitigate long-term societal impacts. Failure to do so risks leaving vulnerable populations in ongoing distress and hampers overall resilience.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports on Jamaica's mental health crisis following Hurricane Melissa, emphasizing the trauma experienced by residents and healthcare staff, and calls for integrating mental health into climate disaster policies. The Independent and AP News detail the US federal aid delays for Hurricane Helene, with Senator Warnock criticizing the withholding of nearly $600 million in relief funds and urging FEMA to expedite payments. These contrasting perspectives highlight the importance of comprehensive disaster recovery that includes both physical and psychological support, as well as efficient aid distribution.
How we got here
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica and eastern Cuba in October 2025, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The storm's aftermath has revealed not only physical rebuilding needs but also significant mental health impacts, with trauma responses persisting among residents and healthcare workers. Separately, in the US, Hurricane Helene in September 2024 caused extensive damage across southeastern states, but nearly $600 million in relief funds remain unpaid, exposing delays in federal disaster aid distribution.
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