分类： society

Romario ‘ZJ Romzii’ Clarke, alongside a coalition of entertainment industry figures, is leading the ‘Rhythm + Relief’ initiative to support residents in southwest Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on Tuesday, has left a trail of destruction across parishes such as St Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St James, displacing numerous residents and severely damaging critical infrastructure, including hospitals. The death toll has risen to 19.

On Friday, October 31, ZJ Romzii and his team will gather essential supplies, including hygiene products, personal care items, and emergency utilities, at the Devon House Courtyard in St Andrew from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am. The initiative has garnered support from prominent DJs like DJ Mac, DJ Insaneo, Cyclone, and 1 Jav, as well as small business owners and promoters such as Sheyenne Leslie, Jamaul Hall, Timothy South, and Nachel Kirkland.

ZJ Romzii emphasized that the initiative has no fixed donation target, aiming instead to maximize assistance for affected communities. Priority areas include Black River, Treasure Beach, Savanna-la-Mar, and Montego Bay. He highlighted the importance of leveraging the entertainment industry’s influence and resources to aid those in need, stating, ‘It’s a human thing to do. If we are in a position to offer assistance, we should jump at the chance.’

The DJ also called on the broader community to unite in this time of crisis, urging, ‘We are one country, one tribe, one community. Now is the time to act and support our fellow brothers and sisters.’ The ‘Rhythm + Relief’ initiative underscores the power of collective action in addressing the aftermath of natural disasters.

Renowned reggae artist Jah Cure, whose real name is Siccature Alcock, has been handed a significantly extended prison sentence by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. The court sentenced him to eight years and four months in prison for the 2021 stabbing of Dutch concert promoter Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake. The incident occurred following a business dispute over payment for a performance in Amsterdam. Jah Cure allegedly waited for Blake at Dam Square and stabbed him in the stomach in broad daylight. The court found that the act was premeditated, based on voice messages sent by Jah Cure to a friend, in which he expressed his intent to stab Blake. Initially, Jah Cure was acquitted of attempted murder but convicted of attempted manslaughter in March 2022, receiving a six-year sentence. However, Dutch prosecutors appealed the acquittal, leading to the recent ruling. Jah Cure has been in pre-trial detention since 2022, awaiting the outcome of the appeal. His lawyer has also appealed the attempted manslaughter conviction, maintaining that the act was not premeditated.

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Attorney Thomas Levene has issued an urgent plea for the relocation of 65 prisoners currently detained at the Black River Police Station, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane has left the station’s lower section completely flooded, creating inhumane conditions for both detainees and police personnel. Levene highlighted the dire situation, stating that the prisoners lack access to basic necessities such as food and clean water. He emphasized that the crisis extends beyond the police station, with the entire Black River community facing severe distress. Residents are grappling with flooding, water shortages, and a lack of shelter, prompting Levene to call for a potential evacuation of the area. The attorney urged authorities to act swiftly to relocate the prisoners and provide emergency relief to affected residents, stressing the need for immediate intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.

The historic town of Falmouth in Jamaica has suffered catastrophic damage following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm that struck the island on Tuesday. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie revealed the extent of the destruction during a media briefing on Friday, after finally establishing contact with Falmouth Mayor Colin Gager. The mayor’s report painted a grim picture of the devastation, describing widespread destruction of key infrastructure and public facilities. Among the severely damaged structures are the municipal building, infirmary, courthouse, fire station, and markets. The drop-in center, which served as a shelter during the hurricane, was flooded and rendered unusable. Similar destruction was reported in other parishes, including St James and St Elizabeth, where municipal buildings, infirmaries, and fire stations were also heavily impacted. Communication remains a critical issue in the five worst-hit parishes—St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover—with authorities planning to deploy Starlink technology to restore connectivity. Additionally, the hurricane has severely disrupted the revenue base of municipal corporations, prompting an urgent assessment to mitigate the financial fallout.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across St James, with several schools and churches suffering significant damage. Among the affected institutions are the Herbert Morrison Technical High School and the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, both of which experienced substantial harm to their infrastructure on Tuesday. Numerous other establishments in the parish have also reported compromised structures, necessitating extensive repairs that could span several months in some cases. The Hillview Baptist Church in Albion was particularly hard-hit, with its roof and other sections of the building sustaining extensive damage. These institutions, which have historically served as shelters during disasters, now find themselves in dire need of assistance. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, as some communities are still inaccessible due to impassable roads, hindering the delivery of support and aid.