标签： Jamaica

A multinational reconstruction initiative is underway to restore the historic Maroon settlement of Accompong in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, following extensive damage from an October hurricane that devastated approximately 80% of the community’s structures. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced during his Sunday visit that engineering corps from the Jamaica Defence Force will lead repair operations, with additional support expected from several African nations including Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda.

The rebuilding effort holds particular significance as authorities work against the clock to prepare the community for its annual January festival commemorating the 1739 peace treaty between Maroons and British forces. Holness emphasized the cultural importance of Maroon communities within Jamaica’s heritage, acknowledging historical undersupport while characterizing the reconstruction as an opportunity for ‘a reset’ in governmental relations with indigenous communities.

Accompanied by Culture Minister Olivia Grange and Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, Holness received a firsthand assessment of the damage from Maroon Chief Richard Currie, who expressed gratitude for the assistance while highlighting the need for both housing and agricultural restoration. The Prime Minister concluded the visit by presenting a generator to the Accompong Primary and Infant School, symbolizing the beginning of coordinated recovery efforts between government agencies and the indigenous community.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s democratic institutions are mourning the loss of The Honourable Dorothy Pine-McLarty, a foundational figure in the nation’s electoral reform movement whose legacy continues to shape the country’s political processes. The prominent attorney and former Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) passed away recently, leaving behind a transformed electoral landscape.

Pine-McLarty’s remarkable career in electoral governance spanned multiple decades, beginning with her extensive service on the Electoral Advisory Committee before making history as the sole member to transition to its successor organization, the ECJ. Her visionary leadership as Commission Chairman from 2013 until her retirement in 2019 was characterized by institutional innovation and an unwavering commitment to preserving democratic integrity. During her tenure, she implemented crucial safeguards that strengthened public trust in Jamaica’s electoral system.

Beyond her electoral contributions, Pine-McLarty established herself as a legal luminary, serving as managing partner at the prestigious law firm Myers, Fletcher & Gordon. She was particularly celebrated for her dedication to mentoring emerging legal professionals, shaping the next generation of Jamaica’s judicial talent. Her exceptional service to nation-building earned her the Order of Jamaica in 2007, followed by an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in 2019.

Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), which collaborated closely with Pine-McLarty during her ECJ leadership, acknowledged her profound institutional knowledge and praised the robust working relationship they maintained throughout her tenure. The organization emphasized that her passing represents a significant moment for Jamaican democracy, noting that her contributions have left an indelible mark on the nation’s governance structures. CAFFE has extended heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, and numerous admirers across the legal and electoral communities.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage through Jamaica, a nationwide call for volunteerism has emerged as communities enter the Christmas season. The catastrophic weather event has created unprecedented needs across the island, prompting both governmental and non-governmental organizations to coordinate large-scale relief efforts during what is traditionally a period of giving and community solidarity.

The reconstruction initiative encompasses multiple tiers of engagement, from hyperlocal assistance to nationally coordinated programs. Neighborhood churches and community groups are organizing food distribution campaigns, structural repairs, and emotional support services for affected families. Corporate entities have activated their seasonal volunteer programs, facilitating employee participation in rebuilding projects and donation drives through human resources departments.

Governmental coordination occurs through Support Jamaica, an official digital platform that connects vetted volunteers with structured opportunities in disaster response, social services, and community development. Simultaneously, international humanitarian organizations have established significant operations on the ground. Food For the Poor Jamaica continues its critical work in housing construction and sustenance distribution, while World Central Kitchen maintains its emergency feeding operations requiring assistance with meal preparation and delivery logistics.

The American Friends of Jamaica collaborates with local partners to address educational, healthcare, and disaster relief needs, welcoming volunteers for reconstruction projects. Jamaica Red Cross remains instrumental in emergency response, providing shelter support, first aid, and community preparedness training. The Salvation Army continues its tradition of offering emergency provisions including food, clean water, and temporary housing to displaced families.

For those seeking formal disaster management roles, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management operates the National Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Programme, focusing on preparedness education, damage assessment, and relief coordination. Alternatively, individuals can pursue direct assistance through personalized ‘adopt-a-family’ initiatives, such as that pioneered by Westmoreland Eastern MP Dr. Dayton Campbell, which connects donors with severely affected households for targeted support with groceries, educational materials, and home repairs.

This comprehensive volunteer mobilization represents a critical component of Jamaica’s recovery strategy, harnessing the collective power of civic engagement to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term reconstruction requirements following natural disaster.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has announced ongoing technical complications that are significantly impairing its ability to process same-day driver’s licenses. The government agency confirmed that these service disruptions emerged following a recent scheduled maintenance operation, which has had unintended consequences across its entire network of tax offices.

The technical malfunction is currently affecting both new applications and renewal procedures for driver’s licenses. However, TAJ officials emphasized that all other services remain fully operational, including standard tax payment processing and various motor vehicle transaction services that are unrelated to license issuance.

In response to these operational challenges, TAJ has issued specific interim guidelines for motorists. Applicants must submit a completed driver’s license application form accompanied by an uncertified passport-sized photograph. Additionally, they must present proof of payment—whether transactions were completed physically at tax offices or through the agency’s digital portal.

To mitigate inconvenience for drivers, TAJ has implemented a temporary grace period policy. Motorists are permitted to legally operate vehicles using their expired driver’s license alongside the official payment receipt for a duration of up to 60 days. The administration has committed to notifying affected customers directly once their printed driver’s licenses are prepared for collection at designated offices.

The agency continues to work on resolving the technical issues but has not provided a specific timeline for full system restoration. Customers are advised to monitor official TAJ communication channels for further updates regarding service normalization.

The Edwin Allen High School community in Clarendon, Jamaica, finds itself enveloped in an unprecedented wave of grief after the tragic death of a third student within a mere two-month period. The latest heartbreak struck on Sunday night when 14-year-old Jaydon Smith, a student from Crawl River District, succumbed to injuries sustained in a single-vehicle collision on the Chapelton main road. Police reports indicate the Nissan Sunny he was a passenger in collided with a wall around 6:30 PM; he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

This incident marks the third devastating loss for the school since September, creating a profound crisis that Principal Jermaine Harris describes as unparalleled in his five-year tenure. The school’s mourning began with the sudden passing of 15-year-old Tanesha Gayle, a promising track athlete who fell ill during training and died shortly after. The tragedy continued in late October following Hurricane Melissa, with the death of an unnamed Grade 11 male student under circumstances that remain unclear and are now under investigation.

The cumulative impact has overwhelmed the school’s emotional resources. Principal Harris revealed the immense strain on the institution’s support system, noting that the three guidance counsellors are severely overworked. In response to the compounding grief, the school has activated its trauma response team to provide critical psychosocial support and grief counseling for students and staff alike. The palpable sorrow was evident on Monday morning, where teachers were overcome with emotion and a somber assembly was held, featuring a moment of silence for Jaydon.

Despite being a celebrated institution with ten ISSA/GraceKennedy Girls’ Championship titles, including the most recent 2024 victory, the focus has sharply shifted from athletic preparation to mental health and communal recovery. Principal Harris emphasized the necessity of showing empathy and extending support to those most severely affected, acknowledging that sometimes words fail in the face of such repeated tragedy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of October’s devastating Category Five Hurricane Melissa, the National Education Trust (NET) is making a strategic appeal to donors and humanitarian partners. The agency, operating under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, is urging all recovery assistance to be channeled through its centralized coordination system to maximize efficiency and impact.

Executive Director Latoya Harris-Ghartey articulated the critical need for a unified approach, stating that coordinated support is essential for targeting the most severely affected educational institutions while aligning with national recovery objectives. NET’s unique governmental positioning provides donors with data-driven guidance informed by real-time assessments and policy directives.

Highlighting additional financial incentives, Harris-Ghartey emphasized NET’s registered charity status, which offers donors significant benefits including tax relief and customs waivers. The agency is collaborating with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to ensure cost-efficient procurement through vetted brokers, guaranteeing that ‘donors get the most bang for their buck.’

The cornerstone of NET’s approach is its comprehensive database of hurricane-impacted schools, meticulously compiled through damage assessment surveys. This system enables precise tracking of needs and prevents redundant efforts by directing donors to institutions with unmet requirements. While acknowledging some partners prefer direct school support, NET is implementing enhanced monitoring mechanisms to capture all recovery activities across the education sector.

Donors retain the flexibility to designate contributions to specific institutions, with NET maintaining rigorous accountability protocols. The agency provides detailed reporting on fund utilization, undergoes annual independent audits, and publishes comprehensive activity reports, ensuring full transparency for all cash and in-kind donations.