KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has activated the entire first class of the Jamaica National Reserve (JNR). Effective Thursday, October 30, 2025, all reserve members are required to report to their designated duty stations. This mobilization is a critical component of the nation’s comprehensive response and recovery strategy following the widespread destruction caused by the hurricane. Reserve personnel will play a pivotal role in relief distribution, search and rescue operations, logistics management, and the safeguarding of vulnerable areas. Their efforts will be coordinated in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other governmental bodies. The activation, authorized by Governor General Sir Patrick Allem, is part of Jamaica’s national emergency management framework, designed to protect lives, secure property, and expedite the restoration of normalcy in storm-affected communities.
分类： society
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Holy Halloween
During a recent visit to a residential neighborhood, I was struck by the sight of nearly 100 children, accompanied by their parents and siblings, dressed as vampires, ghosts, Frankenstein, and werewolves. They carried pumpkin-shaped containers, moving from house to house collecting sweets. A quarter of the adults also wore costumes, with many items purchased locally or online. This scene, reminiscent of an episode of *Twilight Zone*, highlighted the growing appeal of Halloween, a celebration that has evolved from a niche subculture to a mainstream, almost sacred event. A resident explained that while community efforts to celebrate Divali, Eid, and Christmas had poor turnouts, Halloween’s trick-or-treating had captured the neighborhood’s imagination. When I asked children about local folklore like Papa Bois, they were clueless, with one parent dismissing such tales as “evil.” This experience underscored how Halloween’s joyous celebration has been decades in the making, fueled by a steady diet of horror movies and novels. Films like *Halloween*, *The Exorcist*, and *Twilight* have romanticized horror, while slasher movies have normalized violence. Studies, such as one published in *Media Psychology* in 1999, reveal that such media can cause residual anxiety and even symptoms akin to PTSD. NeuroLaunch’s 2023 article further emphasized the mental health risks, including phobias. The Caribbean, too, faces the impact of this cultural imperialism, with local horror movies mirroring the violence and gore of Hollywood. While some argue that Halloween fosters social interaction and creativity, its normalization of violence and desensitization to real-life horrors raise critical questions. As Halloween’s popularity grows, it may soon find its way into school curricula or even become a public holiday, marking its transformation from a fringe event to a cultural cornerstone.
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Furness Group lends helping hand to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica
In the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28, the Furness Trinidad Group has mobilized urgent relief efforts. Through its food distribution arm, Furness Shipping & Marketing Limited, the group has dispatched essential canned food items, including corn, peas, carrots, red beans, and chickpeas, to support the affected population. The hurricane, described as the ‘storm of the century,’ caused unprecedented devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, claiming at least 34 lives and leaving widespread destruction in its path. With sustained winds reaching 298 km/h (185 mph) at its peak, Hurricane Melissa surpassed the intensity of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. William A Ferreira, Chairman and CEO of the Furness Group, expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life and destruction, while emphasizing solidarity with the people of Jamaica. He highlighted the resilience of the Jamaican people, stating that this disaster marks a new chapter rather than the end of their story. Ferreira also praised the dedicated efforts of his team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the timely delivery of aid despite the challenging circumstances. The Furness Group’s initiative underscores the importance of collective support in times of crisis, offering hope and essential resources to those affected by this historic natural disaster.
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Privy Council: Las Alturas CoE treated Calder Hart unfairly
In a landmark decision, the Privy Council has upheld a 2023 Court of Appeal ruling in favor of Calder Hart, former chairman of Udecott, affirming that he was denied natural justice during the 2016 Las Alturas commission of enquiry (CoE). The commission had blamed Hart for the collapse of the Morvant housing project, but the Privy Council, led by Lord Clark and supported by Lords Sales, Leggatt, Lady Rose, and Lady Simler, ruled on October 30 that the commission breached Hart’s right to procedural fairness by publishing adverse findings without allowing him to respond. The judges emphasized that natural justice requires individuals to be given the opportunity to defend themselves against criticism, a principle that was violated in Hart’s case. The commission’s findings, which held Hart personally accountable for the project’s failure, were quashed, as they were deemed to have been arrived at in breach of natural justice. The Las Alturas project, plagued by landslides and structural failures, resulted in significant public losses and the demolition of two apartment buildings. The Privy Council’s ruling underscores the importance of fairness in judicial processes, regardless of an individual’s participation in an inquiry. The commission’s appeal, arguing that Hart had declined to participate and that fairness did not require prior notice, was dismissed. The Privy Council also rejected the commission’s claim that extending the inquiry to allow Hart to respond would have been inappropriate, stating that the seriousness of the findings demanded prior warning. This ruling reaffirms the fundamental principle that no one should be condemned unheard.
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Hanover reels from Melissa’s devastating impact
The Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, Jamaica, has sustained significant damage following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the southwest of the island before moving across its western end on Tuesday. During a visit by the Jamaica Observer, it was observed that several key sections of the hospital, including the maternity ward, dietary department, and administrative block, had their roofs severely compromised. Despite the destruction, hospital staff demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing to perform their duties, such as preparing meals and attending to patients, while also addressing the aftermath by clearing water and mopping floors in the dietary department. The nearby Hanover Health Department also suffered roof damage, further exacerbating the crisis. The hurricane’s wrath extended beyond healthcare facilities, causing widespread infrastructural devastation across the parish. Numerous buildings lost their roofs entirely or partially, while fallen trees and power lines obstructed several roads. Communication networks were severely disrupted, leaving many residents unable to make calls or access the internet. Some individuals reportedly traveled to Montego Bay to use their mobile phones for communication. Additionally, downed utility poles led to widespread electricity outages, and a section of the Sandy Bay Main Road sea wall collapsed, causing the sidewalk to cave in. The community of Hanover now faces the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of this natural disaster.
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#MelissaAftermath: Trelawny police clear fallen trees after ‘devastating impact’ in parish
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Trelawny, Jamaica, witnessed a significant police presence on Wednesday as officers worked tirelessly to clear the extensive damage left by the storm. A dedicated team of 30 police personnel, under the leadership of Superintendent Velonique Campbell, took to the streets armed with chainsaws and machetes to remove fallen trees that had obstructed major roadways.
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US-based Forbes Family Foundation to deliver hurricane relief to Westmoreland and St Elizabeth
Residents of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland, severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, are set to receive critical relief through the efforts of the Forbes Family Foundation, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. Founded by Dr. Ariel Forbes, a Jamaican-born oral surgeon, the foundation has outlined a comprehensive two-phase plan to aid recovery in the impacted regions. The first phase focuses on immediate support, including the distribution of essential supplies such as water, canned goods, generators, solar power banks, clothing, and cleaning materials. The second phase will address long-term recovery, providing construction materials like drywall, cement, tiles, and power tools to rebuild damaged homes. Dr. Forbes emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that food tents will be established in Black River, St Elizabeth, and either Darliston or Whitehouse, Westmoreland, to serve hot meals to those in need. Despite initial flight cancellations, Dr. Forbes is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on November 12, with supplies already en route via sea freight. The foundation is seeking logistical support to transport these items from Kingston to the affected parishes. Motivated by her Jamaican heritage and personal ties to the region, Dr. Forbes expressed her commitment to helping communities recover from the devastation. The Forbes Family Foundation has also launched a fundraiser to support these relief efforts, underscoring their dedication to rebuilding lives and restoring hope in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
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Misery amplified
Residents of Portland Cottage, Jamaica, are voicing their frustration over what they perceive as systemic neglect in disaster relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Many of these individuals, already living in dire poverty, claim they have yet to receive any assistance from previous hurricanes, including Hurricane Beryl in July. Despite registering for aid and providing necessary documentation, they say their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Dennis Baju, a resident of Dry Hill, lamented, ‘No help, no help, none a di storm dem weh blow. This a go meck the seventh storm and wi don’t get no help.’ His 87-year-old mother, Gloria, who was forced to relocate her small business into her one-bedroom home after Beryl destroyed her shop’s roof, accused political players of discrimination. ‘Is victimisation. When them come fi give food is down dah way deh it go,’ she said. Similar grievances were echoed by other residents, including Neville Gayle, whose home was severely damaged by Melissa. ‘Mi woulda like some zinc fi meck up back mi bathroom and di roof,’ he said while attempting to clean his muddied, decrepit structure. The community’s frustration is compounded by the perception that relief efforts are politicized, with aid allegedly directed toward certain areas or individuals based on political affiliations. ‘Dem [disaster relief personnel] nah go come yah now, dem specialise inna politics,’ one young woman remarked. Despite the hardships, some residents remain resilient, expressing gratitude for their survival. ‘Mi glad mi alive and mi family an mi grandpickney dem alive,’ one woman said. As the community begins the arduous task of rebuilding, the calls for equitable and timely assistance grow louder, with many urging authorities to address the systemic issues plaguing disaster relief distribution.
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In the heart of the rainforest
The Asa Wright Nature Centre, nestled in Trinidad’s Northern Range rainforest, stands as a timeless sanctuary for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike. Dr. Anjani Ganase, a marine scientist, reflects on her transformative experiences at the Centre, which played a pivotal role in shaping her career and deepening her connection to Trinidad’s natural heritage. Her journey began as an undergraduate volunteer for the Guppy Project, led by Dr. David Reznik, where she explored the Arima-Blanchisseuse Valley’s river ecosystems. Despite the challenges of fieldwork—mosquito bites, muddy trails, and Deet mishaps—the experience ignited her passion for environmental science. Later, as a volunteer for the Asa Wright Educational Programme, she contributed to drafting grant applications and leading educational outreach initiatives, fostering a deeper appreciation for the Centre’s ecological richness. The Centre’s vibrant biodiversity, from toucans and bellbirds to nocturnal wildlife like scorpions and porcupines, continues to captivate visitors. Dr. Ganase’s recent return to the Centre, now revitalized by Hadco Experiences, reaffirmed its enduring charm and significance. She hopes that locals and visitors, especially children from the Arima-Blanchisseuse Valley, will experience this tropical haven at least once in their lives.
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‘We need help’
The aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has left several communities in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, in a state of despair, with residents marooned and first responders struggling to access the hardest-hit areas. The storm, which struck on Tuesday, has caused widespread destruction, leaving roads impassable, homes destroyed, and communication lines severed.