标签： Jamaica

An eight-year-old Jamaican girl faces a prolonged separation from her parents in the United Kingdom after her visa application was denied by the UK Home Office, despite her home being destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. Lati-Yana Brown, whose British father and Jamaican mother legally reside in the UK, has been living with her grandmother in Cash Hill, Hanover. Her parents, who married in 2025, saved £4,000 for her visa application, which was submitted in June.

The family’s situation escalated into an emergency on October 28th when Hurricane Melissa devastated their community, obliterating the grandmother’s residence and leaving her incapable of providing adequate care for the child. In response, the parents urgently petitioned the Home Office for an expedited decision on humanitarian grounds.

Officials rejected the application, issuing a formal refusal letter that acknowledged the widespread impact of the natural disaster but concluded that insufficient evidence was provided to prove the grandmother could no longer care for the child. The letter further stated that it had not been demonstrated that Lati-Yana could not be cared for by other relatives within Jamaica.

Lati-Yana’s mother, Kerrian Bigby, characterized the decision as profoundly distressing, stating that reunification is essential for her daughter’s development and her own ability to fulfill maternal responsibilities. Legal representatives for the family condemned the ruling as displaying a ‘troubling lack of compassion.’

The couple intends to appeal the decision; however, with a reported backlog of 106,000 cases, the process could extend up to two years before their case is reviewed, prolonging the child’s precarious living situation.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has intensified efforts to restore public recreational facilities ahead of the Christmas season, completing comprehensive renovations at multiple high-profile locations. The recently reopened attractions include Dunn’s River Falls and Park, Reach Falls, Ocho Rios Bay Beach, and Harmony Beach Park, all now fully operational for public enjoyment.

The coordinated restoration initiative represents a strategic investment in both community infrastructure and economic revitalization. Since reopening earlier this month, these spaces have immediately reactivated local economic networks, providing renewed income opportunities for small enterprises, artisan vendors, and transportation services.

Tourism officials emphasize the broader implications of these reopenings, noting that visitor confidence directly correlates with national economic recovery. With tourism serving as Jamaica’s primary economic engine—supporting countless households and service sectors—the timely restoration of attractions has been prioritized as a matter of national importance.

Additional reopenings are scheduled throughout November, with Long Bay Beach anticipated to welcome visitors by November 29, followed shortly by Bluefields Beach Park the subsequent week. This phased approach ensures both safety standards and operational excellence are maintained across all facilities.

UDC General Manager Bobby Honeyghan observed that the return of visitors has created palpable positive energy: ‘Witnessing Jamaicans and international guests rediscovering these spaces with renewed comfort and normalcy holds profound significance for our organization. These attractions serve as vital sanctuaries for community reconnection and personal restoration after challenging times.’

The corporation reaffirms its dedication to maintaining these spaces as reliable, secure, and uplifting environments that embody national pride while supporting Jamaica’s broader tourism ecosystem during the critical holiday season.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path last month, Jamaican Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has issued a stern mandate for nationwide reconstruction efforts to strictly comply with the country’s National Building Code. Speaking during a Thursday address in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, McKenzie emphasized that rebuilding must prioritize structural integrity and disaster preparedness above all other considerations.

Minister McKenzie highlighted the critical need for enhanced enforcement mechanisms, announcing that strengthened compliance measures will be implemented by 2026. He expressed particular concern about informal construction practices, specifically referencing the dangerous trend of erecting makeshift dwellings in flood-prone areas using inadequate materials like zinc sheets and plywood.

The Minister delivered a blunt message regarding socioeconomic status and disaster vulnerability: “The time has come when we must forget about whether you poor or rich, because disaster don’t know nobody.” He observed that those claiming poverty often suffer most from natural disasters due to substandard building practices.

McKenzie issued a grave warning about Jamaica’s preparedness, contemplating the catastrophic potential had Hurricane Melissa struck the densely populated Corporate Area instead of the southwestern region. He recalled a citizen’s sobering observation that “country can’t manage town,” underscoring the disproportionate impact a direct hit on the capital would have on national infrastructure and government operations.

The government plans to initiate a comprehensive rollout of new building compliance measures in the coming year, signaling a transformative approach to urban planning and disaster resilience throughout Jamaica.

WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — A strategic partnership between the Sandals Foundation and RUBiS Energy Jamaica has injected critical resources into hurricane-ravaged fishing communities, offering a lifeline to more than 100 local fishers. The joint donation valued at $3.5 million JMD comprises 120 rolls of specialized fishing wire and 6,720 liters of UltraTec 90 gasoline, directly addressing the operational paralysis caused by Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage.

The comprehensive relief initiative saw immediate implementation with distribution events commencing Friday. The fishing wire allocation enables artisans to construct approximately 600 replacement fish pots—essential equipment for sustainable harvesting. Simultaneously, RUBiS Energy Jamaica’s fuel contribution provides each fisher with 56 liters of high-quality gasoline, effectively restarting marine operations after weeks of forced inactivity.

Diego Salmon, management lead at Whitehouse Fish Sanctuary, contextualized the disaster’s psychological toll: “The hurricane’s aftermath presents constant reminders of our collective loss. While the reconstruction needs remain enormous, our fishing communities demonstrate remarkable resilience. This support represents more than material aid—it symbolizes hope and tangible progress toward normalcy.”

Corporate leadership emphasized the strategic importance of livelihood restoration. RUBiS Energy Jamaica CEO Michel Malatino stated: “Our involvement targets economic reactivation through sustainable means. Helping fishers return to their traditional occupations stimulates household stability and community rebuilding through multidimensional recovery.”

Local fisher Oneil Smith confirmed the intervention’s practical impact: “With our boats and equipment destroyed, income generation became impossible. This assistance provides the necessary foundation to restart commercial activities and support our families.”

The Whitehouse Fish Sanctuary, established in 2013 as a marine conservation initiative, has dramatically expanded its role post-hurricane. Beyond its ecological mandate, the organization now coordinates distribution of emergency supplies, provides free ice for food preservation, and maintains solar-powered charging stations alongside newly installed street lighting for enhanced community safety.

The Sandals Foundation has integrated psychological support into recovery efforts through partnerships with Kahle Journey and the Jamaica Psychological Association. According to Executive Director Heidi Clarke: “Community strengthening remains central to our mission. By restoring fisheries—a dual source of income and nutrition—we activate crucial recovery mechanisms while honoring our commitment to sustainable development.”

Future recovery phases will prioritize environmental rehabilitation. Salmon outlined forthcoming priorities: “After achieving personal sustenance, we’ll conduct comprehensive reef assessments and initiate coral replanting programs. Our sanctuary serves as the cornerstone for both ecological and economic restoration.”