分类： society

In western Jamaica, the soothing patter of rainfall has transformed into a trigger for profound psychological trauma among schoolchildren. The memory of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating landfall on October 28, 2025, continues to haunt educational institutions, where students now respond to precipitation with screams, trembling, and paralyzing fear rather than playful excitement.

Educational leaders from multiple institutions describe heartbreaking scenes during stormy weather. Principals Garfield James (Little London High School), Venesha Brown-Gordon (Salt Marsh Primary School), and Oraine Ebanks (Green Pond High School) report that their students exhibit severe trauma responses when rains begin. These schools number among five educational institutions selected as beneficiaries of the 2026 Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run, an initiative aiming to raise $150 million through a February 15th charity run to fund hurricane recovery efforts.

The psychological impact extends beyond directly affected regions according to Kirk Morris, President of the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors. He notes that students in eastern parishes—many exposed to harrowing social media footage—have also required professional psychological support, demonstrating the hurricane’s far-reaching emotional consequences.

Official statistics from the Ministry of Education reveal extensive intervention efforts: over 50,000 students and 4,000 teachers in northwestern Jamaica have received psychosocial support through 2,086 counseling sessions. The ministry has additionally provided assistance to 167 regional staff members and more than 9,000 parents, creating a comprehensive support network for affected communities.

At Green Pond High School, Principal Ebanks describes implementing flexible teaching approaches that allow for spontaneous counseling moments when trauma surfaces. The school’s damaged infrastructure—leaking classrooms and missing roofs—compounds the psychological challenges during rainfall. Educators actively work to maintain normalcy through extracurricular activities while acknowledging that heavy precipitation instantly triggers traumatic memories, particularly among students from severely impacted areas like Catherine Hall and Westgreen.

Similar challenges confront Salt Marsh Primary School, where the institution’s proximity to a flood-prone gully intensifies student anxiety. Acting Principal Brown-Gordon recounts children as young as twelve trembling during storms while asking teachers whether Hurricane Melissa is returning.

The psychological toll extends beyond students to encompass educators and parents. Little London High School reports cases of depression among students that exceed the guidance department’s capacity, highlighting the need for ongoing mental health support despite limited resources.

Minister of Education Senator Dana Morris Dixon confirms the ministry operates a comprehensive psychosocial support program utilizing both virtual and in-person sessions. This effort has been bolstered by 36 private clinicians, psychiatric experts from The University Hospital of the West Indies, and support organizations including UNICEF, Children First, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

While counselors across Jamaica continue providing support, educational leaders acknowledge that normalization will require sustained time and resources, with rainfall serving as a persistent reminder of the catastrophic hurricane that forever changed their students’ relationship with weather.

The parish of Manchester, Jamaica, was thrust into a state of shock and mourning following a violent rampage that unfolded from Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday. Law enforcement authorities reported three separate shooting incidents that resulted in the deaths of four men, marking a bloody night for the community.

The violence commenced in the New Hall area at approximately 7:30 PM on Saturday. The spree continued later with a double homicide in the Old England community. The final incident, which claimed another life, occurred on Ellen Street around 1:40 AM Sunday, indicating a several-hour span of coordinated or copycat criminal activity.

Detectives from the Manchester police division were deployed throughout the night and remained actively engaged at the crime scenes well into midmorning Sunday. Forensic teams were meticulously processing each location, with particular focus on the Old England double murder site, gathering ballistic evidence and witness statements to piece together the sequence of events and identify the perpetrators.

The back-to-back nature of these attacks has intensified concerns among residents regarding gang-related violence and public safety. Community leaders are calling for an increased security presence and a strategic response to prevent further escalation. This series of events represents a significant challenge for local authorities, who are now under pressure to swiftly apprehend those responsible and restore a sense of order.

A multimillion-dollar coastal protection initiative in Annotto Bay, Jamaica, designed to shield the shoreline from erosion and rising sea levels, is now facing criticism for allegedly exacerbating flooding issues during heavy rainfall events. The $244-million project, part of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project, has come under scrutiny following significant flooding at the Annotto Bay Market last month.

Local officials including Port Maria Mayor Fitzroy Wilson and Councillor Hugh Bryan have identified the placement of offshore groynes as a primary concern. These structures, intended to slow wave action and accumulate sand to prevent erosion, are believed to have disrupted natural water drainage patterns. Mayor Wilson explained that during periods of high sea activity, water pushed back through drainage systems, carrying sand that ultimately blocked critical outflow channels behind the market.

The project, managed by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) with funding from a World Bank loan and implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, was designed to protect three coastal towns from climate change impacts. However, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund has stated the flooded area falls outside their project footprint.

PIOJ Director General Wayne Henry acknowledged the longstanding flooding issues in Annotto Bay while clarifying that no groyne was placed behind the market by their contractors. He detailed that project engineers had actually created an improved drainage outfall through the revetment in May 2023 to address frequent blockages. Henry emphasized that this drainage channel requires regular maintenance to prevent debris and silt accumulation, noting that the high-water intersection point necessitates ongoing cleaning by relevant authorities.

Local vendors provided firsthand accounts of the flooding, describing thigh-high water levels that transformed the market area into “a natural sea.” They advocated for drain widening and improved maintenance, expressing particular frustration given the market’s recent $19-million renovation that concluded in mid-2025. This renovation included infrastructure repairs, bathroom facilities, and commercial shop construction.

Officials have recommended coordination between engineering authorities and the ongoing coastal project team, with Mayor Wilson suggesting future phases should extend further offshore to break waves before they approach the shoreline. Councillor Bryan additionally highlighted the need for attention to the Pencar River and dredging operations to comprehensively address the area’s flooding vulnerability.