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.
分类： society
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Digicel offers free calls to Jamaica
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, Digicel (TT) Ltd has introduced a compassionate initiative to support affected communities. Effective from October 30 to November 3, all calls to Jamaica will be zero-rated, allowing customers to connect with loved ones without charge. This move aims to provide a vital communication lifeline during this challenging period. Digicel TT CEO Pieter Verkade emphasized the importance of staying connected, stating, ‘Communication is more than a service; it’s a lifeline that enables families to share comfort, critical information, and reassurance across borders.’ To ensure equitable access, a daily cap of sixty minutes has been implemented, balancing widespread availability with network quality. Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica’s southwestern coast on October 28, caused widespread destruction, leaving over 475,000 people without power and damaging infrastructure, homes, and public buildings. In response, the government has dispatched eight 40-foot-long containers filled with essential relief supplies. Civil society, private sector organizations, and NGOs have also mobilized comprehensive relief efforts to aid recovery. Digicel TT’s initiative underscores the critical role of connectivity in disaster response and recovery.
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Much of Falmouth destroyed by Melissa – McKenzie
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.
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Schools, churches in bad shape in St James
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.
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Energy minister hails St Andrew’s solar project as model for sustainability
St Andrew’s School has marked a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability by unveiling a state-of-the-art solar power array. The project, celebrated during a commissioning ceremony, was lauded by Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis as a pioneering example of renewable energy adoption and youth leadership.
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Cabinet subcommittees established to lead post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has unveiled the formation of multiple Cabinet subcommittees. These committees are tasked with leading the government’s recovery and relief initiatives, ensuring a coordinated and swift national response. The announcement was made during a press briefing on Friday, where Morris Dixon detailed the structure and objectives of the newly established bodies. At the forefront is the Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee, co-chaired by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and Minister of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz. This committee will oversee the broader recovery process, with additional members including ministers Pearnel Charles Jr., Matthew Samuda, Andrew Wheatley, Kamina Johnson Smith, and Dana Morris Dixon. Ex-officio members Fayval Williams and Audrey Marks will also contribute to the oversight efforts. In a strategic move to engage the private sector, a dedicated committee has been formed to streamline contributions and investments from businesses. Co-chaired by Senator Keith Duncan and Audrey Marks, this committee is set to convene its inaugural meeting on Friday at 4:00 pm. Meanwhile, Minister Olivia Grange has been assigned to mobilize the church community to bolster relief activities, and Minister Robert Montague will focus on reconnecting families displaced or separated by the hurricane. The subcommittees are expected to commence their work immediately, prioritizing the restoration of essential services, providing aid to affected families, and supporting long-term reconstruction efforts.
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WATCH: ‘We have to do little looting’ says Black River hurricane victim
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, is grappling with severe devastation and a desperate struggle for survival. A local resident, known as Bowes, has revealed that many in the community have resorted to looting to secure basic necessities like food. ‘We have to do little looting because we don’t know if we ago get food for now,’ Bowes stated, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the townspeople. He painted a grim picture of the town’s future, asserting that Black River is unlikely to recover anytime soon. ‘Black River not coming back for now, right here mash up. This can’t come back,’ he lamented. Bowes, who lost his roof in the hurricane, is currently sharing a single room with ten other individuals, a situation he describes as a necessity for survival. ‘Everybody have to put up who they can put up,’ he explained. Despite the challenges, Bowes noted that he has yet to see any government officials providing assistance, leaving residents to fend for themselves in the aftermath of the disaster.
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Better system for volunteers needed post Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, attorney and social justice advocate Christina Williams has urgently called for a unified approach to coordinate volunteer relief efforts across Jamaica. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on Monday and Tuesday, unleashed torrential rains and fierce winds, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and displacing numerous residents.
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NGO calls for stronger community action after Chapman Lane shooting
In the wake of the tragic shooting of 30-year-old Kadeem Jelani Maycock on Wednesday, members of the Executive Coalition NGO are advocating for intensified community-driven initiatives to address escalating violence. Maycock, a resident of 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael, was fatally shot near his home, where he had been living with his grandmother until her passing two months prior. Henderson Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition, recounted that the incident occurred while he and his team were engaging with locals about the forthcoming ‘We Gatherin” activities, slated to commence in November. Williams emphasized that this tragedy highlights the pressing necessity for robust social engagement and youth intervention programs to curb violence in vulnerable neighborhoods. He reiterated the Coalition’s dedication to collaborating with government bodies and community members to foster trust and reinforce neighborhood unity.
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Liberty Caribbean Foundation Mobilises Relief for Jamaica
In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Liberty Caribbean Foundation has launched an immediate regional relief initiative to aid affected colleagues, families, and communities across Jamaica. The Foundation, the charitable arm of Flow and Liberty Business, has strategically positioned relief supplies and established logistics to deliver essential resources such as food, water, emergency kits, and connectivity solutions to devastated areas as soon as local authorities permit safe access. Ensuring the safety of staff remains the top priority, with teams actively verifying the well-being of all employees. While outreach efforts continue, the Foundation is prepared to commence relief shipments at the earliest opportunity, pending official clearance. Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized, ‘Our primary responsibility is to our people and the communities that depend on us. We have mobilized resources across the region to ensure a swift, coordinated, and responsible response. Wherever it is safe to provide assistance, we will be there—offering immediate relief and supporting long-term recovery.’ The Foundation is collaborating closely with national and local authorities, community organizations, and trusted relief partners to efficiently target assistance, avoid duplication, and ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable households and shelter populations. Simultaneously, Liberty Caribbean’s crisis-management teams are prioritizing employee welfare and the restoration of critical communications infrastructure. Smidts added, ‘We understand that recovery will be a prolonged effort. Beyond emergency supplies, we are committed to partnering with local organizations on rebuilding and resilience initiatives that restore livelihoods and strengthen communities. The Foundation will remain engaged for as long as necessary.’ Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, tied with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 ‘Labor Day’ hurricane for the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfall on record by wind speed. The Foundation is calling for public and corporate support to scale relief operations. Donations will directly fund the procurement and delivery of essential supplies and support long-term recovery programs in the hardest-hit communities. Secure online donations can be made at: https://www.libertycaribbeanfoundation.org/hurricane-relief.