KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has unveiled the formation of multiple Cabinet subcommittees. These committees are tasked with leading the government’s recovery and relief initiatives, ensuring a coordinated and swift national response. The announcement was made during a press briefing on Friday, where Morris Dixon detailed the structure and objectives of the newly established bodies. At the forefront is the Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee, co-chaired by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and Minister of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz. This committee will oversee the broader recovery process, with additional members including ministers Pearnel Charles Jr., Matthew Samuda, Andrew Wheatley, Kamina Johnson Smith, and Dana Morris Dixon. Ex-officio members Fayval Williams and Audrey Marks will also contribute to the oversight efforts. In a strategic move to engage the private sector, a dedicated committee has been formed to streamline contributions and investments from businesses. Co-chaired by Senator Keith Duncan and Audrey Marks, this committee is set to convene its inaugural meeting on Friday at 4:00 pm. Meanwhile, Minister Olivia Grange has been assigned to mobilize the church community to bolster relief activities, and Minister Robert Montague will focus on reconnecting families displaced or separated by the hurricane. The subcommittees are expected to commence their work immediately, prioritizing the restoration of essential services, providing aid to affected families, and supporting long-term reconstruction efforts.
分类： society
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WATCH: ‘We have to do little looting’ says Black River hurricane victim
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, is grappling with severe devastation and a desperate struggle for survival. A local resident, known as Bowes, has revealed that many in the community have resorted to looting to secure basic necessities like food. ‘We have to do little looting because we don’t know if we ago get food for now,’ Bowes stated, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the townspeople. He painted a grim picture of the town’s future, asserting that Black River is unlikely to recover anytime soon. ‘Black River not coming back for now, right here mash up. This can’t come back,’ he lamented. Bowes, who lost his roof in the hurricane, is currently sharing a single room with ten other individuals, a situation he describes as a necessity for survival. ‘Everybody have to put up who they can put up,’ he explained. Despite the challenges, Bowes noted that he has yet to see any government officials providing assistance, leaving residents to fend for themselves in the aftermath of the disaster.
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Better system for volunteers needed post Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, attorney and social justice advocate Christina Williams has urgently called for a unified approach to coordinate volunteer relief efforts across Jamaica. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on Monday and Tuesday, unleashed torrential rains and fierce winds, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and displacing numerous residents.
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OUR urges JPS to exercise fairness in billing after Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has issued a stern call to the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) to uphold fairness and transparency in its billing processes. The regulator emphasized the importance of exercising ‘good practice and reasonable consideration’ when preparing bills for customers affected by service disruptions or property damage.
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Major groups to sit out Junkanoo
In a dramatic turn of events, the Bahamas’ most renowned Junkanoo groups—the Saxons, the World Famous Valley Boys, Roots, and One Family—have collectively decided to boycott this year’s holiday parades. This unprecedented move, confirmed after a unanimous vote by group leaders on Wednesday, threatens to disrupt the nation’s largest cultural celebration and significantly impact vendors and organizers. Several smaller B groups are also expected to follow suit, with an official announcement from the Junkanoo Corporation of The Bahamas (JCNP) anticipated soon. The decision stems from escalating tensions between Junkanoo leaders and the Davis administration, particularly over the proposed Junkanoo Bill and the government’s decision to transfer control of the parades to a newly established Parade Management Committee. Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg’s recent declaration prohibiting private or competing events under the new system has further exacerbated the rift. JCNP-affiliated groups have long warned that these changes could fracture the Junkanoo community, and the corporation has hinted at organizing independent events in protest. However, their efforts appear stifled, as the JCNP was reportedly denied permission to practice at the Sports Centre on November 23. The fallout has left food vendors anxious, fearing a sharp decline in turnout and sales. Despite increased seed funding announced by the government in September, including a $10,000 boost for Category A groups, the dispute shows no signs of resolution. Prime Minister Philip Davis, who met with JCNP officials earlier this month, has distanced himself from the conflict, stating, ‘Don’t bring me into it.’
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Police to escort fuel tankers into hard-hit areas says Vaz
In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been tasked with escorting fuel tankers into the most severely affected parishes. This critical measure aims to facilitate the recovery of communities by ensuring uninterrupted fuel distribution. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced during a media briefing that Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery, commenced loading tankers for islandwide delivery at 6:00 AM on Friday. Vaz emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that fuel supplies in some areas, particularly in the western part of the island, are critically low or depleted. To address this, he convened a meeting with marketing companies and fuel suppliers at 11:30 AM on Friday to coordinate efforts through the National Works Agency and the police. The focus is on delivering fuel, including alternative sources and LPG, to sustain operations and support affected residents. Vaz expressed optimism that, with roads being cleared or partially cleared, fuel deliveries could be expedited with police escorts to ensure timely access.
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UTC lends support to UWI first gen students
First-generation students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus, have received a significant boost in their academic and social development, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC). The contribution is specifically aimed at supporting first-generation students and participants in the Successful Transition and Academic Readiness (STAR) mentorship programme, which assists first-year students in adapting to university life and laying the groundwork for long-term success. UWI deputy principal Professor Derek Chadee and manager of financial advisory services Kristy Mannette-Smith accepted the donation on behalf of the campus. Chadee emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that UTC’s support is an investment in student success and empowerment. He expressed gratitude for UTC’s generosity and praised their shared vision of fostering student growth. The donation includes $45,000 in renewable scholarships over the next three years and a $5,000 one-time bursary. UTC’s chief financial officer, Kerri Maharaj, highlighted that the STAR programme aligns with the corporation’s core values of providing individuals with the tools and guidance needed to build their own legacies. By supporting first-generation students, UTC aims to equip them with the confidence and knowledge to excel in university and become future leaders. Maharaj described the contribution as an investment in the nation’s future, emphasizing its role in cultivating the next generation of thought leaders, innovators, and professionals who will drive Trinidad and Tobago’s economic growth. Mannette-Smith added that the donation will provide life-changing resources for financially challenged students, enabling them to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles. She noted that such contributions not only fund tuition but also transform lives and open doors to brighter futures, expressing deep gratitude for the partnership with UTC.
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#MelissaAftermath: Chef José Andrés joins World Central Kitchen relief efforts in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Esteemed Spanish-American chef and humanitarian José Andrés touched down in Jamaica on Thursday to bolster World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) disaster relief initiatives in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Andrés, the founder of the global non-profit organization renowned for delivering meals in crisis-stricken areas, announced his arrival via a post on X.
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1 dead, 1 wounded in La Horquetta shooting
A tragic incident unfolded in La Horquetta on the evening of October 30, resulting in one fatality and another individual sustaining injuries. The shooting took place at approximately 10 pm on Bernard Primus Crescent, where the two victims were reportedly engaged in casual socializing, commonly referred to as ‘liming.’ An unidentified assailant approached the men and opened fire, striking both. Emergency services transported the injured to a nearby hospital, where 38-year-old Jamal Austin was pronounced dead. The second victim remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Two, have taken charge of the case, with ongoing efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify the perpetrator. The community has been left in shock as investigations continue.
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Vaz gets tough on JPS as 66 per cent of customers remain in the dark
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica on October 28, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has expressed growing frustration with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) over its handling of the crisis. The storm caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the southwestern parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Manchester, severely disrupting JPS infrastructure. However, even parishes less affected by the hurricane are experiencing significant power outages, leaving 462,000 of JPS’s approximately 700,000 customers without electricity as of Friday morning.
During a media briefing on Friday, Vaz emphasized the need for better communication from JPS, urging CEO Hugh Grant to adopt the approach used during Hurricane Beryl last year. Vaz criticized the lack of detailed updates, stating, ‘The communication that is coming out is not enough. Not enough to me and it’s not enough to those who’re affected. It’s not only about the amount of people who’ve been restored, it’s how many more are to be restored and what is the projection for them to be restored.’
Vaz highlighted the plight of residents in Kingston and St Andrew (KSA), where many remain without power. He stressed the importance of providing clear timelines for restoration, saying, ‘All they want to know, so that they can plan their business, is ‘what is the issue and when is it expected [to be resolved].’’
Grant assured Vaz that KSA would be fully restored by Sunday, but Vaz deemed this insufficient, demanding daily updates on restoration progress for all affected communities. He shared that KSA would be 90% restored by Sunday, St Thomas by midnight Sunday, and St Catherine by 75%. However, he called for more information on other parishes, including St Mary and Portland, where the majority of customers remain without electricity.
A detailed breakdown of outages shows alarming figures, with some parishes like Hanover, Manchester, St Ann, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, Trelawny, and Westmoreland experiencing 99% power loss. Vaz pledged to ensure JPS provides more detailed information and committed to overseeing full restoration in unaffected areas while developing a comprehensive plan for severely affected regions.
-Lynford Simpson