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KINGSTON, Jamaica — For more than a quarter-century, the Jamaican American Cultural Association (JACA) has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to enhancing educational infrastructure across Jamaica. This North Carolina-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has historically concentrated on equipping schools with essential technology resources, with recent partnerships extending through 2026 at institutions including St Mary High School, Linstead Primary School, and St George’s Infant and Primary School.

The catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on southwestern Jamaica has prompted an immediate strategic pivot in the organization’s operations. JACA has temporarily redirected its resources from educational support to emergency humanitarian assistance for affected communities in Westmoreland, St James, and St Ann.

In a rapid response initiative, JACA has coordinated the delivery of nearly one ton of critical supplies to hurricane victims. The relief shipment encompasses food provisions, hygiene products, clothing, medical supplies, and other essential emergency items. Beyond immediate relief, the organization has committed to providing substantial building materials to selected families to facilitate long-term recovery and home reconstruction efforts.

Gaynor Russell, President of JACA, emphasized the philosophical underpinnings of their humanitarian approach: ‘Our work among vulnerable communities has demonstrated that meaningful assistance transcends material provisions—it fundamentally concerns human dignity. Authentic transformation begins when we engage directly with affected individuals, honor their narratives, and stand in solidarity with them throughout their recovery journey.’

Russell further acknowledged the collective effort behind their mission, stating: ‘We remain committed to delivering comprehensive hurricane relief to the fullest extent possible. Our return to these communities is assured. None of this vital work would be feasible without the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and resilience of our team members, who embody the true spirit of our organizational ethos.’

The organization’s operational philosophy remains guided by its foundational motto: ‘Each One Helps One,’ reflecting its commitment to mutual aid and community solidarity in times of crisis.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica’s judicial system faces a critical juncture as Chief Justice Bryan Sykes advocates for transformative reforms to address overwhelming court backlogs. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony for four judges and two masters-in-chamber at King’s House, Sykes revealed the staggering scale of the problem: approximately 3,000 pending cases nationwide, with 1,000 concentrated in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston alone.

The Chief Justice drew compelling international parallels to contextualize Jamaica’s challenge. He referenced England and Wales, where Sir Brian Leveson was appointed in 2024 to address a massive backlog of 78,000 cases—a number projected to reach 100,000 by 2028 without intervention. Notably, even in the birthplace of jury trials, authorities are considering curtailing jury proceedings as a controversial solution.

Sykes highlighted the United States’ successful approach to similar challenges through its robust plea bargaining system. With over 97% of federal cases disposed of through plea agreements, the American model demonstrates how alternative dispute resolution can dramatically reduce court congestion. The Chief Justice emphasized that trying every case through traditional jury proceedings is “simply impossible” given current resources.

He specifically urged Jamaica’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to adopt a proactive stance on plea bargaining, recommending that prosecutors develop disposition positions for every case that could be presented to defense counsel. While acknowledging previous unfulfilled promises from the Ministry of Justice to address these concerns, Sykes maintained that systemic reform is essential for delivering timely justice to the Jamaican people.

Jamaican Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has issued a stern warning to the nation’s justices of the peace (JPs), cautioning them against formally verifying documents for unknown individuals to prevent enabling fraudulent or criminal activities. The minister emphasized that such practices could undermine public trust in the judicial system.

Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for 34 new JPs in St Thomas parish, Minister Chuck highlighted a specific case where a JP provided a glowing recommendation for an individual who subsequently faced serious criminal allegations at their workplace. The minister contended that proper verification protocols might have prevented this employment and subsequent allegations.

“When you sign and witness a document and verify identification of someone you don’t know, you have opened the door for corruption,” Chuck stated, urging JPs to decline requests unless they can personally verify identities.

The ceremony also featured addresses from Custos of St Thomas Marcia Bennett and Permanent Secretary Marsha Henry-Martin. Bennett emphasized the JP’s role extends beyond document authentication to include community leadership and peacemaking responsibilities. She encouraged new JPs to remain accessible to community members and model law-abiding behavior.

Henry-Martin, responding on behalf of the newly commissioned justices, acknowledged their mandate to “execute in fairness” within Jamaica’s evolving social and economic landscape. She urged her colleagues to serve with “humility, kindness, meekness, and love” to restore community harmony.

The office of justice of the peace, originating in England in 1361, requires holders to demonstrate unquestionable integrity while protecting individual rights. Jamaican JPs perform varied duties including document authentication, limited judicial functions, court attendance, bail application consideration, and providing legal counsel.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path through Jamaica’s western region, a powerful story of community resilience and compassionate leadership has emerged from Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.

The catastrophic storm, which made landfall on October 28, inflicted severe damage across multiple parishes, threatening livelihoods and infrastructure. Among those most critically affected was local sea captain Allan Daley, whose fishing vessel—essential to his family’s survival—faced near-total destruction when a massive 20-foot shipping container was hurled onto the craft by hurricane-force winds.

The impact destroyed the boat’s engine and left the structure severely compromised. Ironically, floodwaters from the storm partially stabilized the vessel by adding weight, though it remained in imminent danger of complete loss.

Recognizing the urgency, the management team from Treasure Bay Estates mobilized immediately alongside community volunteers. Their coordinated response involved stabilizing the damaged boat and preventing further destruction, demonstrating extraordinary solidarity in crisis.

Captain Daley expressed profound gratitude, stating: ‘The Treasure Bay Estates team and my neighbors arrived when hope was fading. Their support lifted my spirits and saved my livelihood when I faced total ruin.’

Aubyn Henry, co-principal of Treasure Bay Estates, personally oversaw the relief effort. ‘As an entrepreneur rooted in this community, I believe our true impact is measured by the lives we touch,’ Henry explained. ‘Witnessing Captain Daley’s struggle against this disaster reinforced why collective action matters. We’re now assisting him in sourcing a new engine and restoring his capability to work—this is about restoring hope to his family and strengthening the community we all share.’

The incident highlights how community-driven initiatives can provide crucial support where formal disaster response may be delayed, offering a blueprint for local resilience in the face of escalating climate-related disasters.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage, Jamaican agricultural authorities are issuing an urgent appeal to citizens to assist in preserving the nation’s critically important bee populations. These vital pollinators suffered substantial habitat displacement and resource depletion during the recent extreme weather event.

Francine Webb, Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer at Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), emphasized the ecological crisis unfolding within the insect ecosystem. The hurricane’s destruction of flowering plants has created severe nutritional shortages for bee colonies across the island, threatening their survival and recovery.

Webb provided practical guidance for public assistance, noting observations of citizens already providing sugar-water solutions to starving bees. “When you encounter bee swarms, understand they’re not displaying aggression but desperately seeking nourishment,” she explained to JIS News. “These insects pose no threat to humans when approached calmly during their foraging activities.

The agricultural expert recommended maintaining feeding stations using simple household items like shallow saucers or disposable plates containing sugar-water mixtures. This emergency nutrition support provides crucial energy for bees until natural flowering patterns can reestablish themselves.

Beyond immediate humanitarian concerns, Webb highlighted the insects’ fundamental role in Jamaica’s agricultural recovery. “Bees serve as essential pollinators for approximately one-third of global food production,” she stated. “Their preservation directly impacts our national food security and agricultural restoration efforts post-hurricane.”

The campaign represents an unusual intersection of disaster response and environmental conservation, recognizing that ecological rehabilitation remains inseparable from agricultural and economic recovery in hurricane-affected regions.