分类： world

In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the United Nations has initiated a $74 million fund to support recovery efforts in Cuba and Haiti. The Category Five storm has left an estimated 2.2 million Cubans in urgent need of assistance across the eastern provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo. The UN’s Plan of Action, developed in collaboration with the Cuban government, prioritizes health, water and sanitation, shelter, education, and early recovery, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, has been left in a state of utter devastation, with community leaders likening the destruction to a war zone. Bishop Oneil Russell, president of the Cooke Street Benevolence Society, expressed his profound grief and concern over the extensive damage inflicted by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28. The storm ravaged communities including Cooke Street, Coke Street, Lower Darling Street, and Queen Street in Savanna-la-Mar, the parish capital.

Russell, who also serves as a justice of the peace and a minister of religion, described the scene as ‘devastating,’ with homes reduced to rubble, zinc roofs torn apart, and essential infrastructure obliterated. Despite the absence of reported fatalities, the scale of destruction has left residents grappling with the loss of homes, belongings, and basic necessities such as water, electricity, and communication.

As a trained first responder, Russell remained in the community during the storm, witnessing firsthand the ferocity of Melissa. He recounted the harrowing experience of seeing houses disintegrate and his own church, The Ark of the Covenant Apostolic Church, flattened. ‘It is going to take us years to build back,’ Russell lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for increased aid and support from government agencies and relief organizations.

Russell has been actively assisting his community by sharing his home Internet service, providing clothing, and offering financial support for food and medical needs. However, he stressed that psychological assistance is also crucial for residents traumatized by the disaster. ‘We need people like the medics in the community,’ he urged, highlighting the lack of official assessments and aid in some areas.

Tyress Small, a resident of Darling Street, shared his own harrowing tale of survival. He was forced to flee his home when the roof was torn off, braving the storm to seek shelter with a family member. Small, like many others in his community, is now homeless and reliant on external assistance to rebuild his life.

As relief efforts continue, with the United States delivering food and water to the Llandilo Community Centre, the road to recovery for Westmoreland remains long and arduous. The resilience of its residents, however, shines through as they band together to support one another in the face of unimaginable loss.

Denis O’Brien, the founder of The Repair Campaign, a movement advocating for reparatory justice in the Caribbean, has urged the UK Government to significantly increase its support for Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. In a media release on Thursday, O’Brien highlighted the historical exploitation of Jamaica by the UK, emphasizing the lasting impact of colonialism on the island’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. He stated, ‘The UK extracted billions of pounds’ worth of wealth from Jamaica over centuries, exploiting enslaved people and the country’s natural resources. Colonialism has left Jamaica’s environment severely compromised, making it more susceptible to disasters like Hurricane Melissa.’ O’Brien pointed out that the Jamaican government estimates the cost of recovery at approximately £5 billion, while the UK has pledged only £7.5 million so far. He described this amount as ‘simply not good enough’ and called for urgent action to address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and long-term rebuilding efforts. While acknowledging the efforts of British High Commissioner Alicia Herbert and her team in mobilizing support, O’Brien stressed that the UK must commit to reparatory justice to enhance the Caribbean’s climate resilience. ‘Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and the countries least responsible for the climate crisis are bearing the brunt of its effects. Reparatory justice is essential for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean to build resilience for future generations. The UK must act now,’ he declared.