In Westmoreland, Jamaica, allegations of politically motivated withholding of hurricane relief supplies have sparked controversy. Former Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central, George Wright of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has accused his successor, Dwayne Vaz of the People’s National Party (PNP), of denying aid to constituents based on their political affiliations. Wright claims that some residents are being excluded from receiving relief packages because they did not vote for Vaz in the September 3 general election. ‘We are in a crisis. No time to politicise these things,’ Wright emphasized in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. Wright, who currently lacks sufficient relief supplies, described his efforts to secure aid for vulnerable residents, including a disabled man unable to access distribution trucks. He stressed the need for orderly distribution processes to ensure fairness. This dispute follows earlier accusations by Vaz, who alleged that Wright had commandeered a shipment of relief supplies after Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dismissed these claims. The ongoing partisan conflict highlights the challenges of equitable disaster relief in politically divided constituencies.
George Wright pleads for non-political distribution of hurricane relief supplies
