分类： society

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation across Jamaica, Reverend Al Miller, a prominent clergyman, has urged citizens to view the disaster not as divine punishment but as an opportunity for unity and renewal. Speaking during a service at Fellowship Tabernacle, Miller emphasized that God does not cause destruction but is present even in chaos. He encouraged Jamaicans to rise above despair and support those affected by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck last Tuesday, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Miller drew a parallel between human sin and natural disasters, suggesting that humanity’s moral corruption can provoke nature’s reaction. However, he clarified that such reactions are not meant to destroy but to prompt correction and change. He urged congregants to focus on the light within the darkness, reminding them that God can transform adversity into hope.

The two-hour service included moments of worship and prayer, with the congregation expressing gratitude for their survival. Church members also prepared care packages for affected areas, particularly the western parishes of St James and St Elizabeth, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact. Miller highlighted the heartbreaking stories of those who lost everything and called for collective action to rebuild the nation.

Miller emphasized the role of the Church in mobilizing support, noting that the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches is coordinating efforts to deliver aid to 5,000 individuals daily. He urged Jamaicans to unite, stating that the disaster presents a unique opportunity to address long-standing issues and foster national solidarity. ‘This is our time to care for each other and rebuild our nation,’ he declared.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the coastal town of Whitehouse in Westmoreland, Jamaica, has been reduced to a scene of devastation and despair. The Category 5 storm, which struck last Tuesday, has left the once-thriving fishing and tourism community in ruins. Homes have been obliterated, power lines are tangled across streets, and families are now huddled under makeshift shelters. With no access to electricity, running water, or immediate relief, residents are grappling with the harsh realities of survival.

Students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, are preparing for a peaceful sit-out on Monday to protest the university’s decision to resume in-person classes following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. In an open letter issued on Sunday, a coalition of students called for a one-week suspension of academic activities and the adoption of a hybrid learning model to support those still recovering from the storm’s impact. The letter criticized the university’s move as “irresponsible” and “tone-deaf,” highlighting that many students remain displaced, lack access to basic utilities, and are emotionally unprepared to return to studies. The protest is framed as an act of solidarity with peers in western Jamaica, one of the regions hardest hit by the hurricane, where thousands are still in shelters and critical healthcare facilities remain non-operational. Official reports cited in the letter reveal that 25,000 people are displaced, and at least 28 Jamaicans have lost their lives due to the disaster. The students expressed concern that the university lacks the capacity to assess how many of its own students are homeless, injured, trapped, or deceased, and argued that reopening campus “prematurely” disregards the physical and emotional toll of the crisis. Comparisons were drawn with other institutions, such as the University of Technology (UTech), which has indefinitely suspended in-person classes, and UWI’s Western Jamaica Campus, which delayed reopening by a week. The letter also condemned the Mona administration for demanding rent payments for accommodations students were forced to evacuate, labeling it a “class issue” and “a profound abdication of empathy.” The mental strain on students was emphasized, with the letter describing a “frozen mental and emotional state” caused by trauma and uncertainty. The group urged students to exercise their “agency to resist” by not attending classes on Monday, concluding with a call to “resist the insensitivity and impracticalness of this decision.” The letter was signed by several students.

Two days after Hurricane Melissa swept through Cave Valley, St Ann, many residents remain unable to return to their homes due to persistent flooding. The once-bustling town is now submerged under muddy waters, with some areas experiencing ankle-deep flooding while others see entire buildings swallowed by the deluge. Rooftops peeking out of the water serve as grim reminders of the homes that once stood there. Although water levels began to recede last Thursday, the damage left behind is extensive and recovery will be a long, arduous process. For Adolphus McNaughten, an 81-year-old resident, this marks the fourth time his home has been flooded. He stood helplessly outside his yellow and red house, recounting how he had to abandon it when the waters rushed in. McNaughten, who has nowhere else to go, expressed a mix of despair and determination as he prepared to rebuild once again. Meanwhile, Christopher Clarke, a local businessman, watched the disaster unfold from the safety of his two-story building. He described how the floodwaters rose relentlessly, engulfing homes, businesses, and vehicles. Clarke, who had prepared for the hurricane, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that Cave Valley has always been flood-prone but never to this extent. As the community grapples with the aftermath, residents face months of recovery, compounded by the loss of electricity and water services. The relentless rain that followed the hurricane served as a cruel reminder that the ordeal is far from over.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Authorities in Manchester are urging motorists to steer clear of the Content roadway in Williamsfield, which has been rendered impassable due to severe flooding. Rising water levels have created hazardous conditions, making sections of the road unsafe for vehicles. Law enforcement officials are advising drivers to seek alternative routes and exercise heightened caution when navigating the affected area. The police have pledged to provide ongoing updates as the situation evolves, ensuring the public remains informed about the latest developments. Residents and commuters are encouraged to stay vigilant and prioritize safety during this period of adverse weather conditions.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Leroy Reid, Director of Customer Solutions at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), has announced that the company is undertaking comprehensive damage assessments across the island following the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa on the electricity grid. Speaking after an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meeting at the St James Municipal Corporation on Friday, Reid highlighted the significant damage sustained by both the transmission and distribution networks.

JPS teams, supported by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), are conducting aerial and ground patrols to evaluate the extent of the destruction. Reid emphasized the need for patience, stating, ‘The damage assessment will take some time. Once completed, we will develop a restoration strategy and communicate timelines.’

In preparation for the hurricane season, JPS secured additional manpower, including approximately 70 overseas line workers from the Caribbean and beyond, to bolster restoration efforts. Reid also mentioned plans to bring in more resources, such as skilled personnel and equipment, via air or sea.

Addressing concerns about marooned communities where JPS infrastructure may block roadways, Reid assured that these issues would be prioritized at the Incident Command Centre. However, he cautioned against dispersing resources too widely, which could hinder emergency response efficiency.

Reid urged Jamaicans to exercise caution during post-hurricane recovery, reminding them of the compromised public health infrastructure. ‘Stop, think, and assess before you act. Your families need you to be well,’ he implored.

Reiterating JPS’s commitment to swift and safe restoration, Reid concluded, ‘Be safe, be patient. We are working as quickly as we can to restore Jamaica. Thank you for your support.’

— JIS

Motorists passing through St Elizabeth, Jamaica, are often taken aback when they first meet Roy Hutchinson, a tire repair specialist. What makes Hutchinson remarkable is that he is a double amputee confined to a wheelchair. Despite losing both legs due to poor circulation, the 60-year-old remains undeterred by his physical limitations. Last Friday, Hutchinson swiftly assisted the Jamaica Observer team when their vehicle suffered a flat tire while en route to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Hutchinson, a resident of Rocky Hill, St Elizabeth, has been managing the tire shop since November last year, taking over from his brother who migrated to the United States. ‘I plug a tire, take off a tire the same way. I change a tire on the machine inside the shop in the same way. I only need someone to push me around,’ Hutchinson explained, noting that he has a daily assistant. Previously a school bus driver for Hampton and Munroe students, Hutchinson lost his legs gradually—one five years ago and the other last year. Remarkably, he felt no pain during the amputations. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa, Hutchinson’s business has thrived as locals seek his services. ‘Yesterday [Thursday], I patched about four tires with nails. So basically, I knew that people would come today to plug tires, so I came out,’ he said. Hutchinson has appealed for support to acquire a battery drill and a tire-changing machine to enhance his efficiency. His partner, Michelle Golding, assists him daily, pushing him to and from the shop. Like many in the parish, Hutchinson is rebuilding after the hurricane damaged homes and electricity poles, leaving many without power. ‘I have the front there to fix back. I have to go buy some zinc nails and zinc to put it back on,’ he said, pointing to his shop. Hutchinson also faces the loss of perishable goods due to the power outage, adding to his financial strain. ‘I don’t really have any savings. I have some chicken in the fridge right now which I am going to lose. It’s a great loss for me again,’ he lamented.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Pepsi-Cola Jamaica has stepped up its efforts to aid affected communities by donating beverages worth US$50,000. This contribution includes approximately 9,000 cases of water, Gatorade, and Pepsi products, aimed at providing essential relief to those impacted by the disaster.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that devastated Belmont, Westmoreland, three helicopters brought much-needed relief supplies to the community on Sunday. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) provided two of the helicopters, while the third was dispatched by World Central Kitchen, delivering essential food items. The helicopters landed at Belmont Academy, a central location between Whitehouse and Bluefields, offering a beacon of hope to residents left homeless by the disaster.

Keisha Rowe, a local resident and employee at Belmont Academy, expressed her gratitude for the timely assistance. ‘We are happy for the help, and there is more to come. Many people here don’t have anywhere to live. A lot of people are homeless, so we are glad for the help, and I am happy that it came fast enough,’ she said.

Wayne Smith, a visually impaired man, shared his harrowing experience, noting that his house had lost its roof, forcing him and his wife to seek shelter elsewhere. ‘It’s real critical, it’s not normal…I am not speaking for myself alone, because I can’t move about like that, but I still have to try to bounce around,’ he explained. Smith, like many others, had been listening for the sound of helicopters, hoping for the arrival of supplies. ‘Today we heard the helicopter, and I said, ‘I am going up there,’ and when I went, I got through right away—flour, rice, sugar, everything in there,’ he recounted.

Carly Wilson, a visitor from Missouri, USA, whose husband is from Belmont, described the emotional toll of witnessing the community’s struggles. ‘This is a very emotional experience, seeing everybody struggle. The people desperately need help,’ she said. Wilson has been actively coordinating with donor organizations to bring additional aid to the area. She highlighted the immediate need for drinking water, as burst pipes have contaminated the local water supply. ‘Unfortunately, there is no drinking water in these combo packs. We need drinking water in this community as soon as possible,’ she emphasized.

The relief efforts have brought smiles to many, including five-year-old Travis Miller and Belmont resident Nickashai Samuels, who, along with her partner Rodney Walker and their one-year-old son Duke, received care packages from the JDF helicopters. The community remains hopeful as more organizations commit to joining the relief distribution efforts.