The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Engineering Brigade has completed a humanitarian mission to repair and rebuild infrastructure destroyed by natural disasters in Montego Bay. Local residents warmly welcomed the initiative.
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RDF engineers worked alongside the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during the 60-day operation, which began on January 15, 2026. Rwanda deployed 100 soldiers to support recovery efforts after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
Hurricane Melissa Leaves Widespread Damage
The hurricane struck several parts of Jamaica on October 28, 2025. The storm caused severe damage, particularly in St. Elizabeth Parish and Black River.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the disaster killed 45 people and left more than 15 others missing.
The storm also damaged about 450 schools and more than 120,000 homes. Out of the 626,000 residents affected, at least 950 people lost their homes completely.
Jamaicans Express Gratitude to Rwandan Soldiers
For many Jamaicans, this was their first time hearing about Rwanda. However, beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by the Rwandan soldiers.
One resident said: “Soldiers from Rwanda, you traveled all the way from Africa to come and do this for us. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. We wish you a safe journey back home and hope we will meet again.”
An elderly woman whose home was rebuilt shared an emotional message: “I kept wondering where I would find the money to rebuild my house. What you have done for us is remarkable. May God bless you, my children.”
Jamaican Military Praises RDF Professionalism
The Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, praised the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the Rwandan soldiers: “They have shown dedication, discipline, and professionalism,” she said. “These soldiers accomplished a great deal within a very short time. During the two months they worked among the community, there was not a single negative report about them.”
She added that Jamaica intends to continue strengthening cooperation with Rwanda: “When Paul Kagame visited this country, some residents whose homes you rebuilt may not have seen him. However, they will never forget that they were helped by the army of the nation he leads,” she said.
Rwanda’s Humanitarian Spirit Rooted in Its History
A ceremony organized to thank the Rwandan soldiers was attended by Deo Mutabazi, Military Advisor at the Rwandan Mission to the United Nations.
The commander of the RDF humanitarian mission in Jamaica, Moses Kayigamba, explained that Rwanda’s difficult past motivates the country to help others in times of crisis.
He said Rwanda’s humanitarian efforts are guided by empathy rather than economic capacity. He referred to the lessons learned from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, when the international community largely failed to intervene: “As Rwandans, we consider any suffering as our own,” he said.
