In a swift and decisive move, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has successfully evacuated 27 of its nationals studying in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa intensifies. A chartered flight departed Kingston on Saturday evening, October 25, 2025, transporting the students to Turks and Caicos, with a subsequent journey to St. Kitts scheduled for Sunday, October 26. This evacuation underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. For students who chose to remain in Jamaica, the government has collaborated with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Student Association (SKNSA) to ensure their safety. These students are being housed in a secure hotel that meets stringent safety and emergency standards, with university shelters on standby if further precautions are required. The government is also closely monitoring the hurricane’s trajectory across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, maintaining active communication with regional partners and CARICOM institutions. Nationals in affected areas are urged to stay vigilant, adhere to local authorities’ guidance, and maintain contact with their respective embassies. For additional support, individuals can reach out to Ms. Karyl Woods, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Student Association, or the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Cuba, led by Ambassador H.E. Verna Mills.
分类： world
-
Belizean Students in Jamaica Brace for Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 165 mph, approaches Jamaica, Belizean students on the island are making urgent preparations. The hurricane, one of the most powerful in Jamaica’s history, is expected to make landfall tonight, bringing catastrophic rainfall of 15 to 30 inches and triggering flash floods and landslides. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica reported that the storm’s center is currently 230 kilometers southwest of Kingston, moving slowly at 6 km/h before turning northward. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that the time for preparation is over, urging residents and international students to follow safety instructions and conserve water. Belizean law student Isareli Cal shared her struggles in securing supplies, noting that stores were running out of essentials. While the Belizean consulate has offered shelter to off-campus students, many, like Cal, are relying on personal resources and family support. The Belizean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has pledged post-storm assistance to students. As the island braces for impact, the international community watches with concern.
-
Jamaica in hoogste staat van paraatheid, doden al in Haïti
Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm, barreling toward Jamaica with sustained winds exceeding 260 km/h. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued dire warnings of life-threatening storm surges reaching up to 4 meters, torrential rainfall of up to 1 meter, and prolonged exposure to destructive winds and waves due to the storm’s slow trajectory. This unprecedented weather event is being described as one of the most severe to ever threaten the island. Evacuations have been ordered across Jamaica’s southern coast, particularly in low-lying areas such as Port Royal, Clarendon, and Saint Elizabeth. Over 800 emergency shelters have been activated to accommodate displaced residents. Authorities are urging the public to heed evacuation orders and remain in safe zones. The storm’s effects are already being felt in Jamaica, with powerful winds and surging floodwaters causing widespread disruption. Meanwhile, in neighboring Haiti, Hurricane Melissa has claimed at least three lives due to landslides, collapsing walls, and severe flooding exacerbated by heavy rainfall. The country’s already fragile infrastructure has worsened the crisis, leaving communities vulnerable to further devastation.
-
IOM formulating early response for Jamaica awaiting Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has swiftly initiated early response measures to bolster the nation’s preparedness and safeguard vulnerable populations. The IOM is collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of essential relief and protection services to communities most at risk. Meteorological forecasts predict severe weather conditions, prompting urgent action to mitigate potential devastation. The organization’s proactive strategy emphasizes disaster risk reduction, emergency shelter provision, and the protection of displaced individuals. This coordinated effort underscores the IOM’s commitment to supporting Jamaica in navigating the challenges posed by the impending hurricane, while prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens.
-
USS Gravely welcomes Lochmaben RC students aboard
The USS Gravely, a US naval vessel, has been actively fostering US-Trinidad and Tobago (TT) relations through a series of collaborative initiatives. Docked at the Port of Spain since October 26, the ship is part of a joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force (TTDF), aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation. On October 27, 35 students and 15 teachers from the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School in Cedros were given an exclusive tour of the ship, hosted by the vessel’s sailors and leadership. This visit underscores the longstanding partnership between the US and TT, as highlighted by the US Embassy in a recent news release. The USS Gravely’s presence in TT is part of the US Southern Command’s (US Southcom) broader efforts to strengthen ties with the Caribbean nation. Earlier this year, US Navy Seabees completed critical infrastructure upgrades at the Lochmaben RC School during Operation Continuing Promise, which included structural repairs and improvements to water, sewage, and electrical systems. In September, US Southcom, through the US Embassy, donated educational materials and equipment to the school, including 13 computers, a printer, office furniture, and other resources to enhance learning opportunities. Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, US Embassy chargé d’affaires, emphasized the significance of the USS Gravely tour, calling it a testament to the deep ties between the US and TT. She noted the enthusiasm of the students and teachers, describing their presence on board as a delight for the sailors. Beverley Findley, principal of Lochmaben RC School, expressed gratitude for the US Embassy’s support, describing the tour as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ that broadened students’ horizons. The USS Gravely’s visit follows other US Southcom engagements in TT this year, including the USNS Comfort’s medical and humanitarian mission in August and the Tradewinds exercise co-hosted with the TTDF in April and May.
-
Oh Jamaica, Jamaica!
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, memories of past storms like Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 resurface, highlighting the stark contrast between then and now. In 1988, the internet was in its infancy, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality were mere science fiction. Today, the digital age provides real-time updates and harrowing images of Melissa’s impending impact, amplifying the sense of urgency and fear. The Caribbean, often referred to as a ‘zone of peace,’ now faces a critical test of its unity and mutual cooperation. Jamaica, no stranger to hurricanes, is bracing for the storm, but concerns linger about the nation’s ability to withstand the devastation, particularly in impoverished and underdeveloped areas. The author reflects on the disproportionate impact natural disasters have on the most vulnerable populations and calls for solidarity among Caribbean nations. Trinidad and Tobago’s response to Jamaica’s plight post-Melissa will be a litmus test for regional cooperation, especially as the country pursues its own economic agenda. The letter concludes with a heartfelt plea for Jamaica’s safety and recovery, underscoring the fragility of human resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
-
#EyeOnMelissa: Eye of Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in New Hope, Westmoreland
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Jamaica as its eye began impacting the island at 11:00 am. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the storm’s core officially made landfall at 12:02 pm in New Hope, Westmoreland, with staggering wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. The hurricane has triggered widespread devastation, particularly along the island’s south coast, with severe flooding and significant property damage reported in St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, and St James. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to remain indoors as the situation is anticipated to deteriorate further. Emergency response teams are on high alert, but the extreme weather conditions are hampering rescue and relief efforts.
-
#EyeOnMelissa: St Ann feeling wrath of Category 5 storm
As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, approached Jamaica, the residents of Priory in St Ann were already grappling with its early impacts. Evadney Mills, a local resident, shared her ordeal with Observer Online, revealing that her son’s roof had been torn off by the storm’s fierce winds on Monday night. Mills was en route to a hardware store to purchase zinc for urgent repairs, stopping briefly at a gas station to refuel. The Boot gas station in Mamee Bay, St Ann, became a temporary refuge for many preparing for the storm’s full force. Mills described the weather conditions as increasingly severe, with strong winds and heavy waves battering the area. Despite the visible damage, including fallen trees and scattered debris, Mills expressed gratitude for their safety. A large tree near a busy roundabout in St Ann had partially collapsed, though the road remained passable. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued continuous warnings, urging residents to prepare for sustained winds, torrential rainfall, and potential flooding as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.
-
Govt to help fund extra stay for Jamaica wedding guests who remained
The Davis administration has stepped in to provide financial assistance to a group of Bahamians stranded in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa. The 50-member group, which includes residents of Abaco and Grand Bahama, traveled to Jamaica to attend the wedding of Darren Henfield’s brother. However, they were unable to leave before the hurricane’s arrival and lacked the funds to extend their stay. The group is currently sheltering at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay. Darren Henfield, a Hurricane Dorian survivor and former Foreign Affairs Minister, confirmed the government’s intervention, expressing gratitude for the support. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper played a key role in securing accommodations for the group. Hurricane Melissa, now a Category Five storm, is expected to bring fierce winds and torrential rain to Jamaica before moving toward Cuba and the southern Bahamas. Jamaican airports were closed on October 26 as the storm approached. Hotel officials have been briefing guests on emergency protocols, advising them to prepare overnight bags with essentials in case of evacuation. A muster point has been designated in the hotel lobby for safety. The resort has committed to providing three meals daily, weather permitting. The group, which includes individuals still traumatized by Hurricane Dorian, is leaning on each other for emotional support, with a traveling pastor offering counseling. Meanwhile, at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus, 17 Bahamian students remain on site, while 76 others were evacuated on a Bahamasair flight last Friday. Victoria Jean-Jacques, president of the Bahamian Students Association in Jamaica, reported calm conditions despite the storm’s approach.
-
US kills 14 in strikes on alleged Pacific drug boats
In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics campaign, US forces have killed 14 individuals in strikes targeting four suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday. This brings the total death toll from Washington’s operations to at least 57 since early September. The latest strikes, conducted on Monday in international waters, mark the deadliest single-day toll in the campaign so far. Hegseth stated that the vessels were identified by intelligence as transporting narcotics along known trafficking routes. A sole survivor was reported, with Mexican authorities taking responsibility for coordinating the rescue. The Pentagon released video footage of the strikes, which included two stationary boats and two others speeding across open water. Despite the US claims, experts argue that such strikes are illegal, even if targeting known traffickers, and Washington has yet to provide concrete evidence of drug smuggling. The US has significantly bolstered its military presence in Latin America, deploying seven Navy warships, F-35 stealth warplanes, and the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the region. This buildup has sparked regional tensions, with Venezuela accusing the US of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa hinted at the possibility of hosting a foreign military base in the Galapagos Islands, potentially involving the US, to combat drug trafficking and illegal fishing.