Former US President Bill Clinton visits Jamaica, discusses support for Hurricane Melissa recovery

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton spent Thursday in Jamaica, meeting with government officials and flying over storm-ravaged communities to assess the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 system made landfall on October 28 in the island’s western parishes, killing at least 45 people and causing more than JMD$1 trillion in damage.

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Clinton’s visit comes as Jamaica ramps up efforts to secure international assistance for its recovery. Matthew Samuda, minister of water, environment and climate change, shared a photo on Instagram of the two shaking hands during their meeting. “Very nice to see former President Bill Clinton, while we discussed the path to recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” he wrote.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz accompanied Clinton on the aerial tour, which was aimed at helping generate additional support for reconstruction efforts. Later that evening, Clinton was welcomed at AC Hotel Kingston by Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart. He and his team were hosted for a private dinner attended by government ministers, private-sector leaders and Rolando Gonzalez Bunster, a Clinton Foundation board member and member of the Clinton Global Initiative’s Energy Committee.

Minister Olivia Grange, who is currently overseeing government operations while Prime Minister Andrew Holness is overseas, said Jamaica intends to pursue a partnership with the Clinton Foundation to bolster recovery efforts. In a Facebook post, she said it was a “pleasure to share the evening” with Clinton and thanked him for the support already extended.

“We remain deeply grateful for the tremendous support provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. We look forward to partnering with the Clinton Foundation,” Grange said.

The Clinton Foundation is an international nonprofit known for its work in disaster recovery, climate resilience, health, and economic development—areas that Jamaican officials say align directly with the country’s urgent post-Melissa needs.