标签： Jamaica

In a significant move to bolster disaster preparedness, over 47 disaster management professionals from the Caribbean and beyond have united to establish the region’s inaugural Shelter Technical Working Group. This initiative, launched during the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, is spearheaded by the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The group aims to enhance emergency shelter operations, ensure equitable aid distribution, and foster safer, more inclusive disaster responses for affected populations. Tamara Lovell, a community resilience specialist at CDEMA, emphasized that the group marks the beginning of a dedicated shelter management community for the Caribbean, with plans to develop a core team to advance shelter management strategies. Since its launch, weekly meetings have cultivated a collaborative community poised to address urgent shelter needs. The working group has also introduced a WhatsApp community for real-time updates and peer support, alongside a dedicated website for resource sharing, technical guidance, and news dissemination. Upcoming sessions will focus on critical issues such as relief goods quality, gender-based violence, cash support, and sustainable shelter solutions. The group will also coordinate technical support, organize training, and mobilize relief supplies for rapid deployment during disasters. Key partners, including national disaster offices, local civil society, and NGOs, are actively participating. Emergency items like plastic sheets, toolkits, solar lamps, tents, generators, and hygiene materials have already been stockpiled at CDEMA’s Logistics Hub in Barbados by organizations such as IOM, ShelterBox, GSD, UNICEF, and the Red Cross. Jan-Willem Wegdam, IOM’s emergency coordinator for the Caribbean, urged collective action, stating, ‘Let’s shape this agenda together. Let’s make this a welcoming community where your ideas and energy drive impact—and where we enjoy working together toward a safer Caribbean.’ The working group is supported by IOM under the Resilient Caribbean Project, funded by the European Union and launched virtually earlier this month.

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Bellefield High School is making significant strides toward eliminating its shift system, a long-standing challenge for the institution. The recent inauguration of an eight-classroom block, constructed at a cost of $75 million through independent funding, marks a pivotal step in this journey. Principal Paul Grant emphasized the need for an additional 16 classrooms to fully transition to a whole-day operation mode for its 1,400 students.

In a startling development, Dr. Ian Andre Roberts, a Guyana-born educator and superintendent of Iowa’s largest public school district, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday. The 48-year-old, who has a distinguished career in education and represented Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is accused of residing and working in the United States illegally since 1999. Roberts, who holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions including Georgetown University and Harvard, allegedly entered the country on a student visa but failed to maintain legal status. An immigration judge issued a final removal order against him in May 2024, which ICE claims was never executed. Roberts was apprehended after reportedly evading an initial encounter with ICE agents. During his arrest, authorities discovered a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife in his possession. Federal law prohibits undocumented individuals from owning firearms, and the case is now under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sam Olson, director of ICE’s St. Paul Field Office, stated that Roberts was found with the weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools. Roberts, who assumed the role of superintendent in July 2023, had disclosed a prior firearm charge during his hiring process. The school board expressed shock at his detention, claiming they were unaware of the removal order. Roberts had passed third-party background checks and submitted necessary employment documentation, raising questions about the oversight in his appointment.

A devastating incident unfolded in Nigeria’s Zamfara state as a massive boulder collapsed onto an illegal mining site during heavy rains, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and leaving dozens more trapped. The tragedy occurred on Thursday near Kadauri village in the Maru district, according to local sources. Rescuers, including miners working in unauthorized pits, have been laboriously attempting to recover victims using rudimentary tools, as they await heavy machinery to aid their efforts. Sani Lawwali, a miner involved in the rescue operation, described the process as slow and grueling, with rescuers chiseling through the boulder by hand to create access points. The death toll was confirmed by Abubakar Nabube, a community leader, who expressed grave concerns about the survival chances of those still trapped if emergency assistance does not arrive soon. The collapse occurred at a newly established mining site, where dozens of miners were working despite the heavy rainfall. Illegal artisanal mining is rampant in Zamfara, a state rich in gold deposits, despite repeated government efforts to curb the practice. Authorities have linked illegal mining to escalating bandit violence, as criminal gangs exploit miners for protection fees. Emergency agencies have yet to respond to inquiries about the incident.

Over 50 scholarship recipients from the J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation recently participated in a transformative workshop aimed at equipping them with essential skills for their academic and professional journeys. The event focused on effective communication, wardrobe essentials, and business etiquette, preparing students for the transition from high school to university and from university to the workplace. The one-day session also emphasized self-care and personal development, ensuring participants are well-rounded individuals ready to face life’s challenges. Corporate and image consultant Althea Laing, a trailblazer in the fashion industry and Jamaica’s first supermodel, delivered an inspiring presentation on the importance of first impressions, professionalism, and self-confidence. Laing, who defied stereotypes in her career, encouraged the students to celebrate their uniqueness and build meaningful networks. The workshop also included professional headshots by LH Multimedia, enhancing the recipients’ online professional presence. JWN Foundation General Manager Garfene Grandison highlighted the initiative’s goal to leave a lasting impact on students, particularly those from underserved and rural communities. The day concluded with an awards ceremony, marking the first time the foundation hosted a workshop of this nature. Makeup artist Shanique Ellington and her team provided glam makeovers, while Ellington emphasized the value of versatility in business and entrepreneurship. Participants, including Ruth-Ann Alexander and Tisayra Jones, expressed gratitude for the invaluable lessons and experiences gained. The event underscored JWN Foundation’s commitment to empowering young individuals to excel in their personal and professional lives.