The World Bank has announced today that following the events of Hurricane Melissa, the Government of Jamaica will receive a full 100% payout of its $150 million  parametric catastrophe bond.Recall that the World Bank facilitated and supported the issuance of Jamaica’s $150 million IBRD CAR Jamaica 2024 parametric catastrophe bond.As we reported on November 1st, just days after Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, “Analysis carried out by third-party calculation agent, AIR Worldwide Corporation, concluded that Hurricane Melissa reached pre-agreed parametric triggers qualifying for a full redemption of the World Bank Catastrophe Bond, which offers Jamaica financial protection against specified natural disasters.The analysis was based on the storm’s central pressure and path, as reported by the National Hurricane Center,” the World Bank said in a statement.

Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President and Treasurer, commented: “Our thoughts are with the people of Jamaica as they recover and rebuild from this tragedy.Jamaica’s comprehensive disaster risk management strategy and proactive approach serve as a model for countries facing similar threats and seeking to strengthen their financial resilience to natural disasters.Adding: “The payout underscores the role of catastrophe bonds in effective risk management strategies and their efficiency in transferring disaster risks to capital markets.” It is important to note that the forthcoming payout will be funded by investors across the globe, reflecting the broad distribution achieved at the initial issuance of the catastrophe bond.

At its issuance, there were 15 global investors that allocated to this catastrophe bond for Jamaica, with the cat bond distribution split 66% specialist insurance-linked securities (ILS) funds, 1% insurance or reinsurance companies, and 33% asset managers.In terms of geographical distribution, the Jamaica cat bond allocated 43% to investors in the United States, 40% to Europe, 14% to Bermuda, and 3% to Asia and Australia.In addition to the forthcoming full payout of the  parametric catastrophe bond, a broad package of World Bank Group assistance is set to be mobilized to help support Jamaica, combining quick-disbursing emergency finance, the redeployment of existing project funds, and targeted private-sector support through the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group’s private sector development arm.

Susana Cordeiro Guerra, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, said: “As Jamaica confronts the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, its strong commitment to preparedness is proving its worth — allowing the country to move swiftly from relief to reconstruction and to use this moment not just to rebuild, but to leapfrog toward more resilient infrastructure.“The World Bank Group stands with the Government and people of Jamaica to help rebuild stronger, restore livelihoods, and set a new benchmark for resilience across the Caribbean,” Guerra added.We understand from our market sources that Jamaica is expected to receive the full payout by December 1st.

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