分类： society

In the wake of the unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, IsraAID, Israel’s foremost independent humanitarian organization, has swiftly launched an emergency response initiative. The Category 5 hurricane, the most powerful ever recorded in Jamaica and the region, made landfall in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday, unleashing sustained winds of 185 mph, torrential rains, and a 10-foot storm surge. The storm wreaked havoc across the island’s southwestern coast, causing widespread destruction before weakening and moving northward.

Montego Bay, St James — Communities in Catherine Hall and Westgreen faced a daunting cleanup effort on Wednesday after Hurricane Melissa unleashed torrential rains and fierce winds on Tuesday. The storm caused the Barnett and Pye rivers to overflow, inundating homes with mud and water. Residents recounted harrowing experiences as they grappled with the aftermath.

Devon, a Catherine Hall resident, described the terrifying moment when floodwaters engulfed his home. ‘Everything was flooded,’ he lamented, noting that he narrowly escaped by climbing to an upper floor. The floodwaters, which rose higher than a person’s height, destroyed furniture and belongings before receding on Wednesday.

Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, estimated that over 800 properties in Catherine Hall and Westgreen were affected. The cleanup process was further complicated by a lack of water, forcing residents to rely on a single pipe to wash mud from their homes and belongings.

The hurricane’s impact extended beyond residential areas. Vehicles were displaced by the floodwaters, with one car lodged against another and a trailer stuck against a median. The National Water Commission’s Bevin Avenue facility also suffered damage, as did the walls of the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, MegaMart complex, and Grand Depot Supermarket.

Herbert Morrison Technical High School, a 49-year-old institution, was not spared. Sections of its roof were torn off, and a nearby road was compromised. Utility poles along Alice Eldemire Drive were downed, adding to the widespread destruction.

As residents worked tirelessly to restore their homes and lives, the scale of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation became increasingly apparent. The storm’s aftermath highlighted the urgent need for resources and support to aid recovery efforts in Montego Bay.

Montego Bay, St James, witnessed scenes of desperation and disorder on Thursday as a limited number of operational petrol stations faced overwhelming demand from residents and motorists. Many individuals, carrying containers, flocked to these stations in a bid to secure petrol or diesel, essential for maintaining daily activities. One resident highlighted the critical need for gasoline to power generators, which have become indispensable in their daily lives. ‘Without the gas, we don’t have any light and ting,’ she remarked. Tensions escalated at a Union Street gas station, where disputes nearly turned violent as people vied for their share of the scarce resource. ‘All machete people draw because a the gas thing,’ a witness recounted to Observer Online. By late afternoon, long queues persisted at locations like the Thrifty Gas Station in Rose Hall, as individuals waited patiently to fill their vehicles and containers.

Major Desmon Brown, General Manager of Independence Park, has announced that Jamaica’s National Stadium incurred only minor damage following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on Tuesday with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, caused widespread devastation across several communities and severely impacted national infrastructure. However, an initial assessment of the National Stadium revealed limited harm, primarily involving broken windows and a malfunctioning well pump. Brown emphasized that a detailed review is still underway to evaluate the full extent of the damage. The National Arena, which served as a temporary shelter for 113 to 166 individuals during the storm, has since been vacated. Brown expressed concern about the inability to assess damage at Trelawny Stadium due to communication challenges. Despite these issues, he expressed relief that the National Stadium’s field remains largely intact, a critical factor as Jamaica prepares to host its final World Cup qualifier against Curaçao on November 18. The US National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

PARIS, France — World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, disclosed on Thursday that former employees had embezzled over €1.5 million ($1.7 million) in what it termed a case of ‘systematic theft.’ The organization has provided comprehensive evidence to judicial and legal authorities to facilitate a criminal investigation. The scandal led to the termination of a consultant and an employee, while another implicated staff member had already departed before the misconduct was discovered. President Sebastian Coe emphasized the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging to employ ‘the full force of the law’ to reclaim the stolen funds. Coe criticized the common practice of concealing such incidents, asserting that World Athletics prioritizes integrity and good governance, even in uncomfortable situations.

In a compassionate response to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Optimum Jamaica has announced a significant initiative to support the Jamaican community. From now until November 30, 2025, Optimum Phone and Optimum Mobile customers in the United States can make free calls and send texts to Jamaica. This effort aims to bridge the emotional and physical distance between families and friends during the island’s recovery process.

Leon Davis, Senior Director and Site General Manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering connections beyond technology. ‘We recognize the emotional strain of being separated from loved ones in times of crisis,’ Davis stated. ‘Our goal is to bring families closer, even across vast distances, by removing communication barriers.’

This initiative is part of Optimum’s broader strategy to enhance community resilience and recovery. By providing free communication services, the company hopes to facilitate emotional support, updates, and reassurance among Jamaicans in the diaspora and their families back home.

Jevaughn Gordon, Communications Manager, highlighted the symbolic importance of the gesture. ‘Optimum stands with Jamaica during this challenging period. We believe that staying connected is a vital part of the healing process,’ Gordon remarked.

In addition to this public offering, Optimum has been actively supporting its internal workforce through welfare checks and communication assistance, ensuring that employees are also cared for during this time. The company’s efforts underscore its dedication to both technological and human connections in the face of adversity.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Andrea Purkiss, Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, has issued an urgent appeal for assistance to support residents in her constituency who have suffered extensive damage. Speaking on Thursday, Purkiss described the widespread devastation across Eastern Hanover, with numerous homes destroyed, roofs torn off, and entire communities left isolated.