作者： admin

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated parts of Jamaica on October 28, 2025, survivors like Maxine Campbell are grappling with more than just physical destruction. Campbell, a poultry farmer from Retrieve, Hanover, expressed profound distress over the lack of emotional support from relief agencies. While grateful for the food and supplies provided, she emphasized that what survivors truly need is empathy and a simple question: ‘Are you okay?’

Campbell recounted her harrowing experience during the hurricane, which destroyed her chicken coop and left her elderly mother injured. She described the ongoing mental toll, reliving the sounds of the storm and the screams of her mother. ‘It’s not about flour, sugar, and rice,’ she said. ‘We are damaged mentally.’

Her plea for compassion resonated with others in her community, particularly elderly residents who struggled to access aid due to logistical challenges. Campbell highlighted the plight of her neighbor, a senior citizen tirelessly working to rebuild her home. ‘We have to help her,’ she said, ‘but the relief agencies don’t seem to care.’

Campbell’s frustration was echoed by Benton Richards, an elderly man who had not received a care package because he was instructed to travel to a distant distribution center. ‘They should have just issued what they could here,’ he reasoned. Marlene Patterson, another resident, criticized the inefficiency of the relief distribution, arguing that aid should have been dropped off along the way.

Despite the challenges, Campbell found solace in the kindness of a Jamaica Defence Force soldier who visited her twice. ‘They need to do more of that,’ she said, urging relief workers to show love and encouragement to those affected. ‘Sugar, flour, and rice can’t help us heal. It will take time and encouragement to keep us going.’

As Campbell and her neighbors continue to rebuild their lives, their story underscores the critical need for holistic disaster response—one that addresses both material and emotional needs.

In a decisive move to restore normalcy in hurricane-ravaged communities, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a series of measures aimed at reopening small shops and markets. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Holness emphasized the government’s commitment to transitioning from relief to recovery, ensuring that daily life and business operations resume swiftly.

As Hurricane Melissa’s fierce winds finally abated, seasoned horse trainer Linton Calder felt a wave of relief. His stables had endured the storm with minimal harm, ensuring the safety of his prized horses. However, Calder’s office, a space long in need of repairs, was not as fortunate. The hurricane only exacerbated existing issues, leaving the facility in dire need of urgent attention.

In a remarkable act of generosity, renowned horse racing trainer Peter-John Parsard has pledged to donate all his earnings from November to the hurricane relief fund, aiding victims of the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica last week, unleashed sustained winds of over 185 miles per hour, torrential rains, and widespread devastation, particularly in the western parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James. Thousands of families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and infrastructure severely damaged.

Parsard expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, ‘The destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa is heartbreaking. Entire communities have been reduced to rubble, and the suffering of many Jamaicans is unimaginable. I may be just one person, but I believe in the power of collective action. If my earnings can provide even a small measure of relief to affected families, it’s worth every cent. This is not just charity—it’s a duty to stand with our people in their time of need.’

The Jamaican Government has launched an emergency relief fund to address the urgent needs of over 400,000 affected residents. The Support Jamaica Disaster Relief portal has outlined critical requirements, including clean water, non-perishable food, hygiene kits, and temporary shelter materials. Parsard has also appealed to the Jamaican Diaspora worldwide, urging them to contribute to the relief efforts. ‘Whether you’re in New York, London, Toronto, or Tokyo—if you carry Jamaica in your heart, now is the time to act. We’ve survived hurricanes like Charlie, Gilbert, and Ivan. We will survive Melissa, too, but only if we stand together,’ he emphasized.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association of Jamaica (TOBA) has announced the rescheduling of its annual Mixed Sale to December 7, following the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Melissa. Originally slated for November 23, the event was postponed to allow consignors sufficient time to rehabilitate horses potentially impacted by the storm. The new date was strategically chosen to coincide with the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile, scheduled for December 6, ensuring optimal preparation and participation. Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, inflicted severe damage on the island’s breeding sector. Notable among the affected were Orange Valley Estates Limited in Trelawny, owned by TOBA director Alec Henderson and his wife Jacqui, and YS Farm in St Elizabeth, managed by Dawn Browne. Both farms suffered extensive destruction, particularly in the western regions of the island, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s force. The resilience of the industry is evident, as evidenced by the 2022 sale of Lot #104, a two-year-old filly by Soul Warrior – Lady Belridge, which fetched $2.1 million.