标签： Jamaica

In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s unprecedented Category 5 landfall on Jamaica in late October, the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) has emerged as a cornerstone of relief and recovery efforts. Under the leadership of Bishop Devon Charles Brown, the church’s Regional Evangelism Outreach Ministry (REAM) has executed a comprehensive, multi-phase response to address the widespread destruction across southwestern parishes.

Directed by Evangelist Latoya Simba, REAM’s operations have spanned from St. Elizabeth to Westmoreland and St. Ann, delivering critical aid through an organized framework of ‘Three R’s’: Relief, Recovery, and Reconstruction. The initial relief phase involved distributing essential supplies including water, food, clothing, and temporary shelter materials to communities where homes were flattened, infrastructure was destroyed, and agricultural hubs were brought to their knees.

The church’s humanitarian mission has extended beyond material aid, incorporating psychological support through licensed professionals addressing trauma and emotional distress among survivors. Medical care and counseling services have been integrated into their response, recognizing the profound mental health impact of the disaster.

Financial commitments have surpassed $5 million Jamaican dollars, though organizers emphasize this represents only initial efforts against vastly greater needs. The recovery phase now focuses on rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods, including livestock support for agricultural communities. A forthcoming reconstruction phase will involve build-back grants and an ‘adopt a family’ initiative, with assessment-based funding allocations.

Strategic partnerships with government agencies including the Ministry of Labour and National Housing Trust have facilitated access to additional resources and streamlined assistance applications for affected residents. The church has also mobilized a skill bank of professionals including carpenters, masons, and business leaders to assist with rebuilding six severely damaged member churches and numerous homes.

Community healing events, including treat days serving over 300 hot meals in Darliston, have provided psychological respite from the trauma. Bishop Charles Brown has characterized the effort as a ‘marathon rather than a sprint,’ with national church agendas restructured around long-term recovery commitments. Despite the overwhelming devastation, the church takes solace in having preserved life amidst the destruction, now focusing on the prolonged process of rebuilding stronger, more resilient communities.

ST THOMAS, Jamaica – Emergency services transported two individuals to medical facilities following a pre-dawn vehicular collision with a utility pole along Port Morant’s main roadway on Sunday. The incident occurred approximately at 5:00 AM near the ‘Centre Cut’ area, where the vehicle reportedly struck the stationary obstruction under limited visibility conditions.

Local witnesses and commuters have identified concerning safety oversights at the accident site. Despite ongoing road construction work, authorities have failed to relocate the utility pole from the active travel lane. The hazardous situation is compounded by insufficient lighting and a notable absence of proper warning signage to alert motorists of the potential danger.

Community members are now urgently appealing to governmental agencies and infrastructure authorities to immediately address this safety threat. Residents emphasize that the persistent presence of construction materials without appropriate safety measures creates unacceptable risks for drivers navigating this stretch of roadway, particularly during nighttime and low-visibility conditions.

The current incident has reignited discussions about infrastructure safety protocols and regulatory oversight during public works projects. This accident represents the latest in a series of concerns regarding construction zone management and hazard mitigation practices across Jamaican roadways.

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — When Hurricane Melissa devastated sections of Trelawny, Florida-based Bishop Maurice Clarke experienced what he describes as an ‘out-of-body experience’ – physically present in America yet emotionally connected to his Jamaican homeland. The senior pastor of Central Light Grace Chapel in Lauderdale Springs immediately mobilized his predominantly Jamaican congregation to launch a comprehensive relief operation.

Bishop Clarke, who maintains deep roots in Falmouth where he was baptized 50 years ago, spearheaded a initiative that shipped 34 generators, 10 airbeds, food supplies, clothing, and linens to the hurricane-ravaged community. The operation faced significant logistical challenges, including nearly $8,000 in shipping costs, until philanthropist Cynthia Baker joined the effort.

The relief mission held profound personal significance for Bishop Clarke, who credits the Falmouth New Testament Church of God with shaping his spiritual journey. ‘The church gave me a full scholarship when my mother couldn’t afford seminary tuition,’ he revealed. ‘Falmouth has been my backbone, and I feel obligated to give back.’

The container shipment navigated complex logistics from Florida to Montego Bay, where remarkably, among over 200 containers on the barge, theirs was the only one cleared immediately upon arrival. Distribution was coordinated through the New Testament Church of God on Market Street, serving as the primary relief center for affected residents.

Bishop Clarke emphasized that the effort was driven by love rather than recognition: ‘Being here in America doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten where we came from. It’s our passion for the people that motivated us.’

A dedicated medical delegation from New York’s Emirates Facial and Dental Implants Center provided essential healthcare services to the hurricane-ravaged community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, during a four-day humanitarian mission from December 17-20. The team established operations at Little London Primary School, serving one of the regions most severely impacted by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa’s October 28 landfall.

The multidisciplinary team comprising dentists, psychologists, and nurses addressed both physical and psychological needs of affected residents. Morvia Reid-Williams, Chief Financial Officer of the medical center, reported significantly worsened conditions compared to previous visits, noting widespread trauma among survivors still struggling with daily subsistence.

Psychological support emerged as a critical component of the intervention, with over 50 children aged three to twelve receiving specialized trauma counseling. “When you’re a child, what happens to you sticks to you,” Reid-Williams emphasized, highlighting the importance of helping young victims process their hurricane experiences.

The medical team conducted comprehensive health screenings, checking hypertension and glucose levels while treating various physical ailments including wounds and fungal infections. Dental emergencies represented the most pressing concern, with more than 80% of patients requiring urgent oral care. The team encountered children as young as five suffering weeks of sleepless nights from severe toothaches and adults with facial distortions caused by advanced dental infections.

Through partnerships with United Mission of Goodwill and Jamaica 4 Life, the initiative distributed over 1,000 care packages throughout Little London. The outreach extended to Savanna-la-Mar Hospital’s maternity ward, where new mothers received infant care packages, while other hospital units obtained essential medications, wound care supplies, and surgical gowns.

The mission held personal significance for Dr. Dwight Williams, a Bronx-based oral surgeon born in Little London who maintains strong connections to his hometown through regularly organized medical missions. Hurricane Melissa’s devastating path through St. Elizabeth, Hanover, St. James, and Trelawny parishes resulted in 45 fatalities, widespread homelessness, power outages, and substantial damage to healthcare infrastructure and public facilities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities in St Elizabeth parish have successfully intercepted another illegal weapon during a targeted security operation, reinforcing their ongoing campaign against illicit firearms circulation. The operation unfolded at approximately 6:10 PM on Saturday, December 27, when a specialized police unit executed a search warrant at a residential property located within the Oxford community district.

During systematic sweeps of an adjacent vacant lot, officers identified and secured a concealed Champion brand backpack, characterized by its black and gray coloration and single-strap design. A comprehensive search of the bag revealed a concealed pistol equipped with an ammunition magazine that contained no cartridges. Critical forensic examination indicated the weapon’s serial number had been deliberately obliterated, significantly complicating future tracing efforts.

While the seizure represents a tangible success for local crime prevention initiatives, no apprehensions have been made in direct connection with the discovered firearm. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has confirmed that investigative procedures remain actively ongoing, with authorities pursuing multiple leads regarding the weapon’s origin and intended utilization. This incident marks the latest in a series of weapon recoveries that demonstrate intensified enforcement measures across southwestern Jamaican parishes.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating winds that struck on October 28, the remarkable resilience of Trelawny educator and entrepreneur Joan Montaque has emerged as a testament to human spirit. Her residence in the Litchfield community collapsed during the storm, but her unwavering faith and community support have paved the way for unexpected opportunities.

Moments before the catastrophic structural failure, Montaque observed critical warning signs—sewage pipes fracturing and another bursting from the ground. Heeding these signals, she evacuated immediately with essential documents. ‘Divine guidance placed me where I needed to be to witness these warnings,’ Montaque shared with JIS News, reflecting on her narrow escape from what became a complete collapse of two concrete buildings.

Rather than dwelling on her losses, Montaque emphasizes the profound support system that mobilized around her. Neighbors arrived at dawn following the hurricane, expressing their solidarity. Her religious community and parents of her students have consistently offered emotional and practical support throughout her recovery journey.

The aftermath has revealed silver linings through institutional support systems. Montaque recently engaged with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Connect and GraceKennedy General Insurance initiative that conducted damage assessments and distributed insurance payouts to affected community members. This experience introduced her to agricultural insurance options and potential business development resources previously unknown to her.

Looking forward, Montaque anticipates leveraging these new connections to enhance her yam farming enterprise through advanced planting methodologies and improved marketing strategies. While rebuilding her home remains a primary challenge—exacerbated by looting of her business assets—she maintains optimistic conviction that positive outcomes will emerge from her hardships, inspired by biblical narratives of perseverance.