Working alongside regional partners until February 28
A contingent of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) has travelled to Jamaica to spearhead a multinational humanitarian mission supporting recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The deployment comprises 26 RBR soldiers and officers who will remain on the ground until February 28, focusing on roof repairs in the parish of St Elizabeth, which suffered extensive damage when Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm in October 2025.
The Bermudian troops will be joined by eight members of the Cayman Islands Regiment and five from the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment. Together, the regional forces will partner with the Jamaica Defence Force and the Guyana Defence Force to repair as many damaged homes as possible, delivering immediate and tangible benefits to affected communities.
RBR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Simons said the deployment highlights Bermuda’s ability to provide practical assistance on the ground while also demonstrating regional leadership.
“The Regiment affords Bermuda a mechanism to put boots on the ground in Jamaica to support the recovery from Hurricane Melissa, supplementing the Bermuda community’s generous support in the months since the storm,” he said.
“This is also an opportunity for Bermuda to lead a co-ordinated effort… demonstrating co-ordination and interoperability.”
He added that RBR personnel will embed with the JDF Engineer Task Force South in St Elizabeth, assisting with roof repairs across the parish during the two-week mission.
The deployment follows an initial reconnaissance visit carried out by the RBR in November 2025 to assess storm damage and identify the most effective ways to assist recovery efforts. While several projects were considered, roof repair was selected for its ability to deliver rapid, visible improvements to residents’ living conditions.
All RBR personnel are deploying primarily as labourers, though individual specialist skills have been logged to enhance the mission’s effectiveness. These skills include carpentry, masonry, landscaping, construction expertise and communications support.
As Commander-in-Chief of the RBR, Andrew Murdoch said the operation reflects both Bermuda’s commitment to Jamaica and its capacity for regional leadership.
“With the full support of the Government of Bermuda, the Regiment can provide much needed assistance in Jamaica, making use of its skills and experience,” he said.
“I am particularly delighted that the operation will involve contingents from three Overseas Territories… under the operational command of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.”
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said the Government was proud to honour its commitment to assist Jamaica following the hurricane.
“The Royal Bermuda Regiment has a long and distinguished history of providing such relief and I have every confidence that they will have an indelible and meaningful impact on the recovery efforts in Jamaica,” he said, adding that the mission would further strengthen the close bonds between Bermuda and Jamaica, as well as between the RBR and the Jamaica Defence Force.
“For such a time as this,” the Minister added, “the Bermuda Government is proud to deploy our RBR troops to render humanitarian aid and assistance to those in need.”
