标签： Jamaica

CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny — The quiet town of Clarks Town in Trelawny, Jamaica, faced unprecedented devastation when Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck on October 28. Residents not only fought to save their homes but also their livelihoods, particularly their chickens, which are a crucial part of their daily lives. In Bottom Town, Leford Brodie recounted risking his life to rescue the few surviving birds. ‘The storm blew everything away,’ he told the Jamaica Observer. ‘I had to run into the coop and grab what I could, throwing them to safety with some pallets.’ Brodie’s makeshift coop, hastily constructed from scrap boards, now sits beneath his house. He estimates losing around 45 chickens, including several young ones. His neighbor, Cynthia Forbes, faced a different struggle, moving her household items, including her mattress and dresser, into her chicken coop to protect them from the relentless rain. ‘I lost everything,’ she said softly. ‘Everything from the house is in the coop. I’m just trying to save what I can before more rain comes.’ Across Bottom Town and the adjoining Mack Hill, the scene was one of widespread destruction: roofs torn off, trees uprooted, and frantic searches for shelter. Annette Redwood described the chaos: ‘When the houses started falling apart, people were running everywhere to find shelter. My brother ran from one house to the next as roofs collapsed one after another.’ At the time of the Observer’s visit, Redwood noted that the community had yet to receive any outside assistance. ‘Nobody at all,’ she said. ‘We still need help, anything you can do.’ Rashema Edwards and her aunt Darna Steele, who share a yard with several relatives, lost large sections of their roofs when a tree branch crashed through the boards. ‘This storm is the first Category 5 I’ve experienced in my life,’ Edwards said. ‘I had to go out in the storm to place sandbags on the roof to keep the zinc sheets down.’ Her aunt added, ‘We’ve lost the verandah zinc and one room’s zinc. We have nowhere to sleep. The government alone can’t fix this.’ Edwards reflected on the broader impact: ‘Melissa disfigured Jamaica. Everything up there is flattened.’ For those wishing to help, donations can be sent to Rashema Edwards at NCB Falmouth Branch #444273135 or to Janet Lindo (wife of Leford Brodie) at Scotiabank Falmouth Branch #428000. Despite the losses, the community spirit remains strong. Pastor Henry from a local church in Bottom Town said, ‘Nearly every house has some kind of damage. Many have lost their roofs, some their homes, but the people are pulling together. I lost lots of shingles myself, but the sun is shining — and that is a promise of a better day.’ Even the town’s historical centerpiece, St Michael’s Anglican Church, built around 1843, sustained roof damage. Once the heart of this 3,000-strong community, it now stands as a symbol of both loss and endurance.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, principals from numerous Corporate Area schools gathered at Belmont Academy in Westmoreland on Saturday to assist in the institution’s recovery efforts following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The hurricane left approximately 70% of the school’s infrastructure in ruins, leaving Principal Rayon Simpson in disbelief. “I was amazed by the devastation, especially since this is a relatively new campus,” Simpson remarked. “We lost everything made of zinc.” Despite the challenges, Simpson expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support from schools and communities across Jamaica. “Since Thursday, we’ve received visits from high schools and community members offering their help,” he told the Jamaica Observer. Among the contributors were Calabar High School, Tivoli Gardens High School, Waterford High School, St Andrew High for Girls, Eltham High School, and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. Western Jamaica, particularly Westmoreland, bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa, with the eye of the storm making landfall in the region. Marvin Johnson, Principal of Tivoli Gardens High School, emphasized the importance of unity in the recovery process. “We must build strong bonds among schools, especially those severely affected,” Johnson stated. He also highlighted Tivoli Gardens’ relief initiative, which has already provided aid to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and continues to collect more supplies. Calabar High School has also been actively involved, with students traveling to Trelawny to assist Westwood High School. Principal Sian Wilson described the partnership as a “sister school” bond, stressing the importance of national unity during this challenging time. “Words can’t describe the devastation we’ve seen,” Wilson said. “We must remain committed to helping for as long as possible.” Belmont Academy remains closed indefinitely, with Principal Simpson unable to provide a reopening timeline due to the widespread destruction and the ongoing struggles of displaced students and families. “Many students are homeless, and families are protecting what little they have left,” he explained. “We must be sensitive to their needs as we work toward recovery.”

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on western Jamaica, the JPS Foundation has emerged as a beacon of hope, delivering essential aid to devastated communities in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. On November 6, 2025, the Foundation’s team, in collaboration with Food For The Poor Jamaica, visited the severely affected fishing villages of Scotts Cove and Bluefields. Their mission was to provide immediate relief through care packages containing food and personal care items, ice, and water, while also setting up charging stations to help residents reconnect with their families. Volunteers offered emotional support, listening to and encouraging those who had lost homes and livelihoods. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck on October 28, 2025, causing widespread destruction across Cornwall County and parts of Middlesex, displacing thousands and crippling infrastructure. Sophia Lewis, Head of the JPS Foundation, emphasized the organization’s commitment to restoring not just power but also hope. She highlighted the resilience of the affected communities and the Foundation’s long-term dedication to sustainable recovery efforts. This initiative is part of a broader national relief campaign, with Food For The Poor managing logistics and community outreach to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable areas.

In the wake of a devastating hurricane, Discovery Bauxite’s water wells in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, have emerged as a critical resource for communities grappling with disrupted water supplies. The company has been supplying thousands of gallons of water to its operational areas and neighboring parishes, including Montego Bay, where the World Central Kitchen team is preparing meals for hurricane relief efforts. Local schools, agencies, and residents in St Ann have also benefited from the company’s water facilities, particularly an open water stand near its public clinic in Jacks Lodge, Discovery Bay. Small business owner Pauline White described the support as a ‘lifeline,’ while truck operator Linburgh Gayle highlighted its role in meeting daily water needs for schools, churches, and families. Discovery Bauxite expressed solidarity with those affected by the hurricane, pledging to continue providing water and relief items as long as its pumps can handle the demand. The company emphasized its commitment to aiding the nation during this crisis, noting the significance of its water supplies to hundreds of individuals from local and nearby communities.

Jamaica’s Freemasons celebrated a remarkable milestone during their third annual National Blood Drive last Saturday, collecting over 65 pints of blood from more than 90 donors. The event, deemed the most successful in its history, also saw the fraternal organization contribute $140,000 to the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank). This generous donation will fund the purchase of an air conditioning unit and standing fans to enhance the facility’s operations. Despite the overwhelming turnout, logistical challenges, including staff shortages, prevented over 15 latecomers from donating after 2:00 pm. Organizers explained that processing these additional donors would have extended the event beyond its scheduled 3:00 pm closure. Workers remained fully engaged from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm without breaks, ensuring the smooth execution of the drive. Those who qualified but were unable to donate were encouraged to return on November 17, 2025, to complete their contributions.