In Greater Portmore, St Catherine, a modest hut-like structure beneath a tree near the Monza Housing Scheme has become the unlikely home of 40-year-old Kirk Walker. Since 2022, Walker has endured harsh living conditions after being compelled to leave the Monza scheme, where he previously resided. Despite the imminent threat of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to bring torrential rains and fierce winds to Jamaica, Walker remains steadfast in his decision to stay put. On Saturday, he expressed no urgency to seek refuge in a shelter, instead choosing to face the storm head-on. Having survived Hurricane Beryl in the same location last year, Walker is confident in his ability to withstand Melissa, which is forecasted to intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall early next week. While he hopes for assistance to secure a more permanent and suitable residence in the future, his immediate focus is on weathering the impending storm.
作者： admin
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#EyeOnMelissa: Melissa becomes Category 3 hurricane
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 3 storm, wreaking havoc across the Caribbean and posing a severe threat to Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola. Forecasters warn of further intensification as the storm moves at a perilously slow pace, heightening concerns over prolonged devastation. The hurricane, with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, has already claimed three lives in Haiti due to heavy rains and landslides triggered by its outer bands. In the Dominican Republic, a 79-year-old man was found dead after being swept away by floodwaters, while a 13-year-old boy remains missing. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued dire warnings of ‘life-threatening and catastrophic’ flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. Rapid intensification is expected to continue, potentially elevating Melissa to a major hurricane by Sunday. As of Saturday evening, the storm was positioned 125 miles southeast of Kingston and 280 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, moving at a sluggish three miles per hour. The NHC predicts total rainfall of 15 to 30 inches in affected regions, with isolated areas receiving up to 40 inches. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for evacuation, emphasizing the likelihood of recurring flooding. Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in early July 2024, which claimed four lives in Jamaica. The slow-moving nature of Melissa raises fears of prolonged destruction, with the storm expected to linger over Jamaica and Hispaniola for multiple days before potentially threatening eastern Cuba.
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#EyeOnMelissa: MP Terrelonge oversees drain cleaning as Melissa nears
As Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 3 storm, edges closer to Jamaica, Alando Terrelonge, Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, has announced that emergency preparations are in full swing across the constituency. Terrelonge, alongside Councillor Joy Bella Brown of the Gregory Park Division, was seen overseeing critical drain cleaning operations in the flood-prone Dover area on Saturday.
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New Clinic Model to Feature Full-Time Doctors and Expanded Services
In a landmark announcement, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph has introduced a transformative healthcare model for Antigua and Barbuda, aiming to revolutionize primary healthcare delivery. The new system will assign full-time doctors to community clinics, ensuring they operate five days a week and offer expanded, consistent services. Joseph made the announcement during a town hall meeting in Seaview Farm, hosted by All Saints West MP Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. Currently, clinics provide essential services such as antenatal, postnatal, wound care, and diabetic care. However, the revamped model will introduce daily physician availability from Monday to Friday and incorporate full-time eye care services. Joseph highlighted the success of the Medical Benefits Scheme, which has facilitated over 2,000 free cataract surgeries, showcasing the impact of accessible healthcare. Additionally, the All Saints Clinic will be upgraded to a full polyclinic, offering free dental care, nephrology, gynecology, radiology, and basic lab testing. This upgrade will eliminate the need for patients to travel to the Celeste Bird Medical Centre for services like pap smears and blood tests. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to decentralize health services, ensuring major clinics cater to nearby communities such as Seaview Farm, Buckley’s, and Freemans Village. Joseph also provided updates on national projects, including a new dialysis center at the Old Holberton Hospital, set to open within 12 to 18 months. The facility will expand dialysis capacity from 27 to 45 stations and include a surgical theatre for kidney transplants. Antigua and Barbuda has already completed 15 successful kidney transplants, a first in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The new center will serve both residents and returning nationals reliant on dialysis. Joseph concluded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to establishing polyclinics rather than pop-up clinics, ensuring consistent, community-based healthcare across the nation.
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Belize Out of Danger as TS Melissa Moves North
Tropical Storm Melissa has emerged as a significant threat to several Caribbean nations, with Jamaica and Haiti bearing the brunt of its impact. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings of prolonged severe weather conditions, including damaging winds, torrential rains, and landslides, as the storm moves slowly across the region. Belize, however, remains out of harm’s way as the storm’s trajectory shifts northward. In Jamaica, the storm’s sluggish pace has heightened concerns of extended exposure to hazardous conditions. Residents are advised to complete emergency preparations promptly, as strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to intensify by late Friday or Saturday. Haiti faces an even graver situation, with the NHC predicting catastrophic flash flooding and landslides in the southwestern regions. The storm’s prolonged presence could lead to extensive infrastructure damage, isolating communities for days. Authorities have described the situation as life-threatening, urging immediate action to safeguard lives and property. Meanwhile, Belize has been spared from Melissa’s path, as forecast models indicate a northward movement, keeping the nation safe for now. The NHC continues to monitor the storm’s progression, emphasizing the need for vigilance in affected areas.
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Benjamin Announces 1,500 Street Lights Nationwide
In a significant move to bolster community safety, Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister of National Security, has unveiled plans to install additional street lights and ramp up police patrols across All Saints West. The announcement was made during a town hall meeting in Seaview Farm on Thursday evening, hosted by MP Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. Benjamin emphasized that the initiative responds to persistent appeals from residents and their parliamentary representative, particularly in areas like Bellevue Estate. ‘Anthony Smith has been advocating for improved lighting in Bellevue,’ Benjamin stated. ‘We are committed to installing 1,500 new lights, and I’m certain Smith will ensure his community receives its fair share.’ The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to enhance public safety through better visibility and stronger community engagement. Benjamin also pledged increased police presence in the area, urging residents to collaborate through neighborhood watch programs. ‘We’re going to fight to get more light in the area,’ he said. ‘Please organize your neighborhood watchers and ensure mutual vigilance.’ The event also featured updates from Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph on key government projects, including the planned All Saints Polyclinic and ongoing infrastructure upgrades in the constituency.
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Leadership is duty to next generation, not election deals — King
Curtis King, the Member of Parliament for West St. George and a retired educator, has passionately urged constituents to re-elect the Unity Labour Party (ULP) for a sixth consecutive term. Speaking at a ULP rally in Calliaqua, King emphasized that true leadership is a responsibility to future generations, not merely a strategy for winning elections.
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AG Says Antigua and Barbuda Safest in the Region
Antigua and Barbuda continues to hold its position as the safest country in the Caribbean region, according to Attorney General and Minister of National Security, Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Seaview Farm on Thursday evening, Benjamin highlighted the nation’s remarkably low crime rate, attributing this achievement to robust policing efforts and strong community partnerships. The event, organized for All Saints West MP Hon. Anthony Smith Jr., drew a significant audience eager to hear updates on public safety and government initiatives. Benjamin emphasized the importance of community vigilance, urging residents to form neighborhood watch groups, remain alert, and report any suspicious activities. He also revealed plans to enhance security measures, including increased police patrols and the installation of additional streetlights in areas like Bellevue Estate to improve visibility and deter crime. The Attorney General commended MP Smith for his dedication to community development and his advocacy for youth, noting his collaborative efforts with national security officials. The town hall also featured presentations from senior Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, who provided updates on ongoing government projects in the constituency.
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Suriname zet koers naar nationale local content-roadmap
Suriname has taken a significant step toward establishing a unified national strategy for local content development in its energy sector through the Local Content Conference 2025. Organized by the Suriname Energy Chamber (SEC), the three-day event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, parliamentarians, State Oil Company, Energy Authority Suriname (EAS), private sector representatives, labor unions, international oil companies like TotalEnergies, and global partners. The conference aimed to create a cohesive national vision and definition for local content development, with the goal of finalizing a National Local Content Roadmap within months. This roadmap is expected to lay the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive, and diversified economy, ensuring that Surinamese businesses, workers, and communities benefit from the growth in the energy industry. SEC Chairman Orlando Olmberg emphasized the importance of this initiative during the plenary sessions, highlighting TotalEnergies’ $1.5 billion commitment to local content within the GranMorgu project (Block 58) and Afreximbank’s $5 billion facility to strengthen local enterprises for future large-scale projects. These international commitments underscore Suriname’s position at a historic juncture. Vice President Gregory Rusland called for collaboration across all sectors to further develop the energy industry, stressing the government’s responsibility to create a robust and inclusive local content policy. Full support was expressed by both the government and parliament, with Oil, Gas, and Environment Minister Patrick Brunings emphasizing the need for aligned policy, legislation, and execution. National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin announced plans to develop legislation and establish a special committee to oversee the process. Foreign Affairs Minister Melvin Bouva highlighted the importance of local technical capacity, market-aligned education, and transparent social and financial conditions as the foundation for sustainable trust. The conference, which began with a networking event at the Marriott Hotel, included plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions at the Assuria High-Rise Building. Follow-up steps include the establishment of a National Local Content Commission, tasked with presenting a policy proposal within three to four months. This conference marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to embed local content as a cornerstone of Suriname’s future economic development.
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Parental consent and parental detachment
The reluctance of Caribbean parents to engage in discussions about sex education with their children has emerged as a significant cultural issue, according to recent studies and surveys. In the Bahamas, where a well-established sex education program exists in public schools, a staggering 77% of women reported learning about sex from school, while only 5% cited their parents as a source of information. This trend highlights a concerning detachment among parents, who often defer to formal education systems. A similar survey conducted among older teens in Grenada revealed slightly more parental involvement, but still, fewer than half learned about sexuality through school instruction. Alarmingly, over a quarter of these teens turned to social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and ChatGPT for information, raising concerns about the reliability and appropriateness of such sources. Religious institutions, despite their influence in the region, were notably absent as a source of guidance. Adolescents consistently express a preference for learning about sex from their parents, particularly their mothers. However, cultural stigmas surrounding the topic have led to widespread avoidance and ignorance, leaving young people vulnerable. The Age of Civil Responsibility (ACR) Bill has been proposed as a potential catalyst for change, encouraging parents to shift from detachment to active engagement. Advocates argue that both school programs and parental involvement are essential for comprehensive sex education. The Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA) and Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE) are calling for urgent action to address this crisis. They emphasize the need for collaborative efforts to equip parents with the tools and confidence to discuss sex with their children, aiming to increase parental engagement from below 6% to over 60% within the next year.