Alicia Edwards, Principal Director at the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, highlighted the critical role that drone technology plays in Jamaica’s disaster response and recovery efforts. After Hurricane Melissa, a directive was issued for key government agencies, including the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), to actively use drones in national recovery operations. Through advanced technologies such as photogrammetry and LiDAR, drone images can be converted into detailed 3D maps. These high-resolution images allow authorities to measure damage, identify buildings that have lost roofs, assess debris, and detect blocked roads. This data supports better decision-making, including determining how many trucks are needed to clear debris, which roads should be prioritised, and where assistance is most urgently required. Private drone operators were also acknowledged for volunteering their services and sharing data, with this form of crowdsourcing now recognised as a valuable tool in strengthening Jamaica’s disaster management system.(Andrew Holness)