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ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a profound emotional toll on first responders in Black River, St. Elizabeth, as revealed in interviews conducted on Thursday. Many of these individuals, including firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers, expressed deep psychological scars from their experiences during the storm. Despite their training to manage high-stress situations, the intensity of the hurricane overwhelmed them, leaving many visibly shaken and reluctant to speak on record. Some simply shook their heads or buried their faces in their hands, unable to articulate the trauma they endured. Among those who spoke anonymously, the word ‘traumatized’ was repeatedly used to describe their state of mind. Firefighters Francis and Roach, who requested anonymity and that their faces not be shown, recounted harrowing tales of back-to-back rescues amidst the terror of surging floodwaters and relentless winds. Their accounts paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional challenges faced by those on the front lines of disaster response. (Video: Dana Malcolm)

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, has issued a urgent call for his constituency to be declared a disaster area in the wake of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, a Category Five storm. The hurricane has left a trail of devastation across the region, with Westmoreland Eastern bearing the brunt of the impact. Dr. Campbell revealed that out of the 19 fatalities reported islandwide, 10 occurred in his constituency. The scale of the damage is staggering, with an estimated 1,000 homes completely obliterated, leaving residents without shelter. Many board houses have been reduced to rubble, rendering them uninhabitable. The infrastructure has also been severely compromised, with roadways blocked and residents resorting to chainsaws and machetes to create single-lane access. Communication remains limited, and critical facilities such as schools, health centers, police stations, post offices, and petrol stations have sustained significant damage. Dr. Campbell emphasized the need for immediate assistance, urging the National Works Agency (NWA) to collaborate with contractors to clear the roads swiftly. He has been in contact with the Minister of Works, who has responded positively, but communication challenges have hindered outreach to the parish manager. Dr. Campbell stressed that his appeal is not politically motivated but a genuine plea for the suffering residents. He called for the declaration of a disaster area to mobilize emergency services and provide much-needed relief. Relief distribution centers have already been established at the Whitehouse Community Centre and in Darliston, with plans to expand to additional locations to distribute food and water to affected residents.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a dedicated medical mission led by Dr. Alfred Dawes, the Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness, has brought critical support to the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland. The initiative, launched on Saturday morning, aims to assist hospitals, healthcare workers, and residents severely impacted by the devastating storm. The 31-member team, which includes Dr. Katia Maria Aguilera, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, along with doctors, medical students, and nurses, has volunteered their time and expertise to address urgent medical needs. The mission is primarily focused on supporting the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and the Noel Holmes Hospital, where they are providing essential services such as health checks, wound care, and general medical assistance. Additionally, the team is distributing vital supplies, including sterile gloves, disinfectants, repellents, feminine hygiene products, medication, and bottled water. If time allows, they plan to extend their efforts to reach isolated communities previously cut off by the storm. Dr. Dawes emphasized the mission’s dual purpose of action and compassion, stating, ‘Our healthcare workers and communities in the west have been under tremendous strain since Hurricane Melissa. Today, we’re bringing not just supplies, but hope and solidarity to those who need it most.’ He also highlighted the importance of collective effort in national recovery, noting, ‘We all have a role to play in helping each other and rebuilding our country. This mission is a reminder that when we come together across professions, communities, and borders, we can make a real difference.’ Dr. Dawes expressed gratitude to the volunteers and partners who made the initiative possible, adding that the team will continue to assess urgent healthcare needs in the affected areas and coordinate additional support in the coming days.

Western Jamaica remains in turmoil as fuel shortages persist in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the region earlier this week. Long queues of motorists formed at the few operational gas stations, with many expressing frustration over the prolonged wait times and limited supply. At Flamingo Gas Station in Trelawny, drivers recounted their struggles to find fuel, with some traveling past multiple closed stations before reaching one with available stock. Nicholas, a motorist from Ironshore, shared his ordeal, stating he had already passed four stations without success. Anthony, another driver, lamented waiting nearly an hour with little progress. Station staff also voiced their exasperation, citing a lack of discipline among the growing crowds. Meanwhile, business owners like Jason Cummings, managing director of Jascum Solutions Limited, emphasized the critical need for fuel to sustain operations, particularly for essential services like airport repairs. Similar scenes unfolded in Montego Bay, where reopened stations faced overwhelming demand, leading to tense confrontations among residents. The crisis highlights the broader challenges faced by communities in western Jamaica as they strive to recover from the hurricane’s devastation. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced measures to address the fuel shortage, including police escorts for tankers and uninterrupted loading operations at Petrojam, the state-owned refinery, to ensure islandwide distribution.