The Srefidensi Telethon officially commenced on Saturday at the Congreshal, marking a significant fundraising initiative for Suriname’s 50th anniversary of state independence. Within the first half-hour, the campaign successfully raised over SRD 10,000 through phone calls, SMS, physical donations, and bank transfers. The event, running until October 31, aims to collect a total of SRD 25 million. Organized by the Commission for 50 Years of State Independence, the Telethon seeks to fund the grand celebrations, estimated to cost SRD 65 million, with 60% of the funds allocated to schoolchildren and 40% to the festivities themselves. The initiative has garnered positive responses, including from the diaspora, as highlighted by coordinator Rachel Pinas. Influencers and TV personalities will engage with communities nationwide to encourage contributions, with the Congreshal serving as the central collection point. Pinas emphasized that donations can start from as little as SRD 50, urging everyone to participate generously.
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News : Zapping…
In a significant operation on October 24, 2025, the Haitian National Police (PNH) targeted Laurent Bertony, alias ‘Ti Police,’ in Fonds-des-Blancs. Bertony, wanted for the assassination of police officer Rivaky Abner, was fatally shot while attempting to evade arrest. This operation underscores the PNH’s commitment to justice and public safety. Concurrently, France has reinforced its support for Haiti by training 48 specialized PNH officers from October 12 to 23. This initiative, involving units like BRI, SWAT, and UTAG, highlights international efforts to bolster Haiti’s security forces against criminal gangs. In the cultural sphere, Haiti mourns the loss of Dr. Michel Philippe Lerebours, a renowned art historian who passed away on October 25 in New York at the age of 91. His contributions to Haitian art have left an indelible mark. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc on Haiti’s agriculture, devastating banana plantations and flooding cornfields, prompting urgent monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. In other news, Ms. Frantzia Gilles was appointed Chief of Staff at the Ministry for the Status of Women, and Allenby Augustin received the 2025 HSA Award for his dedication to preserving Haitian cultural heritage.
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Ocoa coffee farmers face “disastrous” losses due to rain
The Orlando Mazara Coffee Growers Association (Asocaom) has declared the situation in the coffee-growing region of Quita Sueño, spanning seven areas in the Rancho Arriba municipality of San José de Ocoa, to be catastrophic in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s torrential rains. Daisy Encarnación Casado, the association’s coordinator, and Aris Peguero, project manager, revealed that the damage is extensive, with hundreds of quintals of coffee lost due to the severe weather. Producers are struggling to dry their grains due to the absence of drying tunnels and the destruction of local roads, leaving many farmers stranded on their properties. Additionally, the overflowing Nizao River near Montenegro has cut off access to several communities, isolating over 200 families. These families are now without medical services and face millions in losses from ruined coffee and other crops. In response, coffee growers have urgently appealed to President Luis Abinader to implement immediate measures to support the agricultural sector. They emphasized the critical importance of coffee production for reforestation, economic sustainability, and the livelihoods of local farmers. The association also called for the repair of local roads and the swift construction of a bridge over the Nizao River at the Montenegro Crossing to restore access and aid recovery efforts.
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ASFA waarschuwt voor ‘resource curse’ door versnipperd local content-beleid
The Association of Surinamese Manufacturers (ASFA) has expressed deep concerns over the government’s approach to implementing its local content policy in preparation for the upcoming oil and gas production. Wilgo Bilkerdijk, ASFA’s director and former chairman, warns that Suriname risks repeating the economic mistakes of countries like Ghana and Nigeria, where oil revenues generated billions but failed to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Bilkerdijk emphasizes that local content initiatives must not be tackled in isolation. ‘We lack a clear economic compass as a nation,’ he states. ‘Without a cohesive national vision and identified growth sectors, we’re merely mopping up with the tap still running.’
ASFA criticizes the fragmented execution of local content strategies, noting that while organizations like the Suriname Energy Chamber show commitment, the government lags in developing an overarching strategy. ‘The government seems reactive to oil and gas developments rather than proactively crafting policies that strengthen the entire economy,’ Bilkerdijk remarks. He underscores that local content should be part of a broader national transformation, addressing education, labor markets, investment laws, certification, and institutional strengthening simultaneously. ‘Without massive upscaling of vocational education and certification of workers and businesses, Suriname won’t be able to capitalize on the oil industry’s opportunities. Foreign labor will fill the gaps, marking the start of the resource curse.’
ASFA highlights that large-scale oil production is expected to begin within two years, yet the labor market remains unprepared. Studies reveal that Suriname’s workforce lacks the necessary skills to meet the oil sector’s demands. ‘If we don’t act swiftly, we’ll follow the path of Ghana and Nigeria, where multinationals reaped the benefits while local economies weakened and populations grew poorer,’ Bilkerdijk cautions. He also warns of the ‘Dutch disease,’ where the lucrative oil industry drains skilled workers from other sectors, undermining agriculture, industry, transport, and ICT—the foundations of sustainable growth.
ASFA urges the government to establish an inter-ministerial council involving the Ministries of Oil and Gas, Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Natural Resources. This council, Bilkerdijk suggests, should pave the way for a centrally coordinated national local content institute. ‘We need coherence between policy, legislation, and execution,’ he insists. ‘Local content must be part of a broader transformation strategy, supported by new investment laws, fiscal incentives, and certification. Otherwise, Suriname will be left with empty promises.’
Bilkerdijk calls for government-funded development financing to certify workers and businesses, enabling them to meet international oil and gas sector standards. ‘Oil presents a unique opportunity to scale our economy, but only if we invest in the people and businesses driving this transformation,’ he asserts. ASFA stresses that the time for action is now, reminding Suriname of its long-standing but unfulfilled rhetoric on economic diversification. ‘Every government talks about diversification, but no one makes decisions,’ Bilkerdijk concludes. ‘We must define our growth sectors and build policies around them. Otherwise, we’ll lose another historic chance. Without a national vision, profits will flow to multinationals, leaving the population in poverty. We must prevent this at all costs.’
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Aerodom responds to the effects of Storm Melissa: “So far, no flights have been canceled”
As Hurricane Melissa advances toward the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s airports, managed by Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), continue to operate without disruptions. Luis José López, Aerodom’s Communications Director, confirmed to arecoa.com on Sunday, October 26, that all scheduled flights are running as planned, with no cancellations reported. López emphasized that operations remain normal and that the concessionaire is prepared to communicate any changes to passengers through multiple channels if necessary. Aerodom has activated its Emergency Plan, with airport teams implementing preventive measures to ensure safety and operational continuity. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 113–136 knots (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h), continues its slow but steady path past the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of intense downpours, thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides. Experts note that the storm’s structure is reorganizing, with decreased upper-level winds potentially allowing it to strengthen further. Melissa is expected to reach Category 5 status before making landfall in Jamaica early next week.
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Religion : First Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV
In the midst of Haiti’s ongoing turmoil, marked by violence, natural disasters, and systemic poverty, Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, *Dilexi te* (Latin for ‘I have loved you’), has emerged as a beacon of hope. The document, which emphasizes Christ’s love for the poor and calls for the Church’s renewed commitment to the marginalized, has resonated deeply with Haiti’s suffering population. Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, who is currently recovering in the United States after an attack by criminal gangs, has described the exhortation as a ‘prophetic text’ that speaks directly to the pain and aspirations of the Haitian people. The exhortation, signed on October 4, 2025, and published on October 9, 2025, underscores the moral imperative to address poverty, which Bishop Dumas argues is not an inevitability but a consequence of human choices. The document also finds relevance in the lives of Haiti’s most vulnerable, including victims of gang violence, migrants, and families displaced by natural disasters. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Bishop Dumas remains hopeful, citing the solidarity and faith of Haiti’s communities as evidence of divine benevolence. *Dilexi te* has been hailed as a transformative message that could inspire Haiti’s path to recovery and renewal.
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Melissa: Nearly 100 people evacuated from Saona Island
In a swift and coordinated response to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Republic Navy (ARD), under the Ministry of Defense (MIDE), successfully evacuated 98 individuals from Saona Island this Saturday. The operation was executed as a preventive measure against the storm’s adverse effects, which have already brought heavy rainfall and high waves to the eastern and southern coasts of the country. The evacuation was part of a broader emergency response strategy led by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MIDE), which mobilized all available resources of the Armed Forces to support the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and civil authorities in ensuring public safety. Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the Minister of Defense, directed the Navy to activate its emergency protocols, deploying surface naval units and specialized rescue teams. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez, Commander General of the Navy, emphasized the critical role of interoperability among Naval Commands, the Eastern Naval Zone, the Captaincy of the Ports, and the Dominican Maritime Authority in the operation’s success. ‘This swift action reflects the preparation, discipline, and commitment of our men and women of the sea, who respond with determination whenever the nation needs them,’ stated Vice Admiral Crisóstomo Martínez. The evacuees were safely transported to the Port of Bayahibe, where they received immediate assistance from relief agencies. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives, safety, and well-being of its citizens, with air, naval, and land resources remaining on standby to address any further challenges posed by Storm Melissa.
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Canada : High-level visit by the Gang Supression Force
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, visited the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) headquarters in Haiti this week. Accompanied by André François Giroux, Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti, and a delegation of senior Canadian officials, Rae’s visit marked the highest-level UN diplomatic engagement with the GSF since its transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) on October 3, 2025. The GSF, led by Deputy Commander Colonel Eldon Morgan, welcomed the delegation and showcased its ongoing efforts to combat gang-related insecurity in the region. During his visit, Rae praised the GSF’s dedication and professionalism, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting the Force’s transformative role in restoring stability. He emphasized Canada’s $60 million contribution, which includes funding for a Regional Maritime Security Initiative aimed at countering transnational organized crime across the Caribbean. Rae also called for patience and continued cooperation, expressing optimism about the deployment of additional GSF personnel by April 2026. As part of his itinerary, Rae met with female GSF personnel, highlighting their critical contributions, and inspected newly acquired helicopters that enhance the Force’s air mobility and logistical capabilities.
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Where in the Caribbean is Melissa located?
The National Hurricane Center (NHC), in collaboration with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, provided an update on tropical weather conditions this Saturday, emphasizing that Hurricane Melissa persists as a significant threat in the Caribbean Sea. Currently positioned approximately 130 miles southeast of Jamaica, the hurricane continues to pose risks of heavy rainfall, perilous waves, and sustained winds that could impact Jamaica and neighboring islands in the immediate future. Meanwhile, the NHC also reported a period of relative calm across the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, with no new tropical cyclones anticipated to develop over the next seven days. This forecast suggests a temporary stabilization in the region following recent meteorological activity.
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Sosúa: The Dominican corner that defied Adolf Hitler’s hatred and saved lives from the Holocaust
The television program *Migrantes*, hosted by journalist Millizen Uribe and aired on Telesistema Channel 11, recently featured poignant testimonies from descendants of Jewish refugees who settled in Sosúa, Dominican Republic. These individuals shared deeply moving accounts of their grandparents’ experiences, who fled the Nazi genocide during the mid-20th century. The program shed light on the resilience and enduring legacy of these survivors. Julli Wellich Miller, one of the descendants, recounted the challenges her grandmother faced upon arrival in 1940, including the harsh tropical climate, which was a stark contrast to the European weather they were accustomed to. Despite adapting to the new environment, her grandmother carried the emotional scars of losing several relatives in the Holocaust. Miller emphasized her grandmother’s strength and the role of faith in their lives, stating, ‘The Jewish religion has a tradition that can be carried from home.’ Another descendant, Eric Czarlinski, shared his father’s harrowing experience of being forcibly taken from his home by the Nazis, describing it as ‘worse than what you see in the movies.’ Czarlinski also reflected on his mixed religious identity, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining Jewish traditions while living in the capital. The Holocaust, known as the Shoah in Hebrew, was a systematic genocide aimed at exterminating the Jewish population of Europe during World War II. These testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the atrocities of the past and the enduring strength of those who survived.