分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican agricultural and fisheries sectors are reeling from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has inflicted an estimated $29.5 billion in damages. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, revealed these staggering figures during a parliamentary address on Tuesday. The hurricane has ravaged approximately 41,390 hectares of farmland, directly affecting over 70,000 farmers and resulting in the loss of 1,251,410 animals, including poultry, cattle, and small ruminants.

Conservation biologist Damion Whyte from The University of the West Indies has expressed deep concern over Jamaicans capturing native birds that have ventured into human-populated areas in search of food and water following Hurricane Melissa. Whyte highlighted social media posts showing individuals offering these birds for sale as pets, a clear violation of Jamaica’s Wildlife Protection Act.

In a social media statement, Whyte emphasized the illegality of capturing and selling these birds, stating, ‘I don’t feel sorry for you if the law catches up on you… because these birds are going through a lot — no water and can’t find food — and all you are thinking of is to put them in cages.’ He explained that the hurricane’s devastation has forced birds into unfamiliar territories, making them vulnerable to predators, including humans.

Whyte, who has been assisting with hurricane relief efforts, observed birds feeding on fallen fruits in residential yards, a behavior unusual for these wild species. He lamented that some individuals are exploiting the birds’ vulnerability by caging them, often leading to their death. A TikTok video surfaced showing a man boasting about capturing four parrots, claiming to have ‘rescued’ them. The video has sparked outrage among conservationists.

Whyte also revealed that some individuals have been selling parrots for prices ranging from $24,000 to $28,000 each, with reports of many birds dying in captivity. He urged the public to report such activities to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) or the police.

To support the birds’ recovery, Whyte advised homeowners to place fallen fruits in areas inaccessible to predators like cats and mongooses. He also recommended using granulated sugar in bird feeders, avoiding syrup or brown sugar, and cleaning feeders regularly. NEPA has issued similar guidance, reminding the public that capturing or caging native birds is illegal and urging them to report injured birds for professional assistance.

Whyte concluded with a plea: ‘Let the birds be. I hope the authorities take action against the people, especially those on social media who are showing how they catch the birds.’

Jamaica is grappling with a severe garbage collection crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) struggles to address the overwhelming backlog. NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon, in an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, revealed that the agency is facing its most significant challenge since its inception in 2002. Despite relentless efforts, residents are urged to brace for further delays in waste collection services over the coming weeks.

A tragic plane crash in Florida on Monday claimed the lives of a Caymanian father and daughter who were en route to Jamaica to assist in Hurricane Melissa relief efforts. The victims have been identified as Alexander Wurm, 53, CEO of the evangelical church ministry Ignite the Fire, and his 22-year-old daughter, Serena. The ministry released a heartfelt statement on social media, describing Evangelist Wurm as the founder of a mission dedicated to empowering Caribbean youth through evangelism and missions. Serena, following her father’s example, was celebrated as a compassionate and inspiring figure in humanitarian work. Their final journey, the statement noted, symbolized selflessness and courage. Wurm is survived by his wife and two other children. The Beechcraft King Air twin-turboprop plane departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 am, bound for Jamaica, but crashed into a man-made pond in Coral Springs shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Jamaican Transport Minister Daryl Vaz revealed that the plane lacked a permit to land in Jamaica, though it had made two prior trips to the island.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has successfully garnered over US$1 million in donations through its Support Jamaica portal, as revealed by Minister of Information, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Morris Dixon disclosed that the portal has accumulated a total of US$1.8 million and J$53.218 million in contributions. This financial aid is part of the nation’s recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, resulting in numerous fatalities and extensive damage, particularly in the western and southern regions. The government has also facilitated the registration of 170 donors, ensuring the efficient distribution of aid. Additionally, 40 bilateral partners have pledged further assistance to support Jamaica’s recovery and rebuilding initiatives.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—The Dominican Republic faced a widespread power outage on Tuesday, leaving the capital city of Santo Domingo and other regions in the dark. The blackout, attributed to a ‘transmission system failure,’ was announced by the state-owned energy company ETED, though the exact scale of the disruption remains unclear. The outage impacted critical public services, including the metro and cable car systems in Santo Domingo, prompting the evacuation of stranded passengers. While some areas retained electricity and internet connectivity, social media reports confirmed outages across multiple regions. This incident follows weeks of recurring power failures, with outages lasting up to 10 hours in recent weeks. Authorities have cited insufficient maintenance and illegal connections as primary causes of the ongoing energy crisis, exacerbating the strain on the nation’s infrastructure and its 11 million residents.