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The McKay InterviewAuthor: Michael McKay
Michael McKay conducts in depth interviews with decision makers and local leaders. The McKay Interview was founded on a simple idea: that listeners would tune in regularly to listen to intelligent yet relaxed, English-language conversation between Michael McKay and interesting people who do interesting things. A variety of prominent and thoughtful people have accepted the invitation and a wide range of topics have been covered. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Ambassador Dr. Richard Brown | Jamaica’s Recovery After Hurricane Melissa
Episode 237
Monday, 10 November, 2025
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching nearly 300 km/h, recently devastated Jamaica, leaving over 600,000 people displaced and wiping out nearly 30% of the country’s GDP. In this episode of The McKay Interview, Jamaican Ambassador Dr. Richard Brown outlines the full scale of the destruction and the urgent need for stronger global support — particularly from international organisations and the United Nations system.Michael McKay and Dr. Brown explore:The unprecedented scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction across Jamaica’s western parishesThe economic toll: $6–7 billion in damages and over 120,000 structures affectedWhat worked — and didn’t — in Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and responseHow catastrophe bonds and parametric insurance are helping fund emergency reliefWhy small island developing states like Jamaica need tailored climate finance and legal recognitionThe role of Geneva-based organisations and how donors can support Jamaica’s recoveryThis conversation also delves into larger questions:Is the international system, including the United Nations, still fit for purpose?Can small countries weather climate shocks without systemic global reform?And what does Jamaica’s resilience — “Wi likkle but wi tallawah” — look like in 2025?Listen now to better understand the link between diplomacy, climate justice, and international solidarity.
