标签： Jamaica

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable solidarity, with key stakeholders stepping up to support national relief efforts. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has extended heartfelt gratitude to industry partners, particularly Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, for their swift and substantial contributions to recovery initiatives. These efforts are being coordinated through the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee, known as “Jamaica Tourism Cares,” in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Carnival Horizon made a special relief stop in Ocho Rios, delivering thousands of essential supplies, including bottled water, baby food, diapers, canned goods, cereal, and hygiene products. The shipment was handed over to ODPEM with the assistance of the Jamaica Tourism Cares team and Jamaican crew members aboard the vessel. Additionally, Carnival Corporation, in partnership with the Miami Heat basketball team and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, pledged US$1 million to the U.S.-based charity Direct Relief to bolster recovery efforts. Similarly, Royal Caribbean Group has committed over US$1 million and delivered more than 34 pallets of essential supplies, including bottled water, non-perishable food, bedding, and medical kits, to the hardest-hit areas in Falmouth. Minister Bartlett emphasized the significance of these contributions, stating that they not only provide immediate relief to affected families and tourism workers but also reinforce Jamaica’s resilience and recovery capacity. The Ministry of Tourism, through its public bodies, the Tourism Product Development Company and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, has been working with local organizations to ensure the transparent and efficient distribution of aid. Distribution efforts began in Trelawny, St. James, and Hanover and will continue in the coming days. Bartlett highlighted that these initiatives are part of a broader national recovery program aligned with ODPEM’s priorities. He also underscored the tourism sector’s responsibility to support communities, stating, “Tourism is not only about arrivals and revenues; it is about responsibility. Together, we are helping Jamaica and our people to heal, community by community, home by home.”

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, the Sandals Foundation has stepped in with a $6-million donation of critical medical equipment and resources to support the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston. This initiative aims to enhance the hospital’s capacity to care for critically ill neonates, infants, and children being transferred from hurricane-affected regions in the north and west of the island. The donation includes essential medical devices such as neonatal ventilators, infusion pumps, blood gas analyzers, and other life-saving tools, ensuring the hospital can meet the increased demand for specialized pediatric care. Dr. Michelle-Ann Dawson, Chief Medical Officer at Bustamante Hospital, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to accepting pediatric surgical patients, neonates, and those requiring sub-specialty care like cardiology and nephrology. She also highlighted the emotional challenges faced by families, noting efforts to provide psychological support and care packages. The Sandals Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, swiftly mobilized resources to address the crisis. Heidi Clake, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, expressed pride in supporting Jamaica’s children and healthcare system during this critical time. The donated equipment has already proven invaluable, with Dr. Carmen ‘Cindy’ Rhoden reporting successful care for a preterm neonate transferred from the west. As Jamaica’s only specialist pediatric hospital, Bustamante Hospital plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive care for children aged 0-12, including services in cardiology, neurology, and oncology. The hospital’s enhanced capacity will serve as a refuge for patients from severely affected pediatric centers across the island, ensuring continuity of care amidst the ongoing recovery efforts.

Marcia Francis, a grieving grandmother, is desperately seeking assistance to bury her grandson, Matthew Small, who was fatally shot by members of the security forces nearly a year ago. As the anniversary of the tragic incident approaches, Francis has been left without the means to lay her grandson to rest.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has upheld complaints against one of its reporters, Martine Croxall, for deviating from her script during a live broadcast and altering the phrase ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women.’ The incident, which occurred during an interview about heatwave research and vulnerable groups, quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate. Croxall’s facial expression during the word change was also scrutinized, with viewers interpreting it as conveying contempt or a personal stance on a contentious issue. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) concluded that her actions gave the ‘strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter,’ which falls short of the corporation’s professional standards for its journalists. While BBC management initially defended Croxall, citing a confusing script and noting that the interviewee also used the term ‘pregnant women,’ the ECU maintained that her inadvertent behavior was inconsistent with the BBC’s expectations. The incident highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding transgender identities and the challenges of navigating sensitive topics in media.

Garfield Rowe, Principal of Accompong Primary and Infant School, is exploring unconventional methods to resume education in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction. With the school’s infrastructure severely damaged, Rowe is considering hosting classes under tents and implementing a rotation system to minimize learning loss for the approximately 100 students. “We could have grades four to six on some days and grades one to three on others. I want to prevent learning loss as best as possible,” Rowe explained during an interview with the Jamaica Observer. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28 with winds exceeding 185 miles per hour, left the school roofless and destroyed much of its furniture and equipment. Despite the devastation, important documents and school records were saved in the library, which remained intact. Rowe emphasized the need for external assistance, including tents, learning resources, and water tanks, to support the school and the traumatized community. Many teachers and students remain marooned, and families have lost homes and essential supplies. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon reported that over 600 educational institutions across Jamaica sustained damage, with repair costs described as “humongous.” The ministry is prioritizing students preparing for exams and considering temporary structures to facilitate learning. Rowe’s efforts highlight the resilience of the Accompong community as they strive to rebuild and restore education amidst the crisis.

St Elizabeth, Jamaica — Known as Jamaica’s breadbasket for decades, the parish of St Elizabeth now lies in ruins following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The Category 5 storm, with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, has left a trail of destruction across the region, transforming once-lush farmlands into rubble and displacing countless families. Among those grappling with the devastation is Sheldon Evans, a pastor with deep roots in the area, who is leading relief efforts to aid his community. Evans, who heads Evangelism Family Life Ministries (EFLM) with branches in New York and Jamaica, described the situation as dire, with many residents struggling to find shelter, food, and basic necessities. Over 20 volunteers, spearheaded by Pastor Heather White Davis, are on the ground in St Elizabeth, distributing essential supplies such as non-perishable food and water. The relief drive has garnered support from Caribbean Pastors United, Irie Jam Radio, Caribbean Power Jam Radio, and Favor FM Radio. Evans, born in the heavily impacted town of Santa Cruz, emphasized the emotional toll of witnessing his homeland’s suffering. ‘As a son of this parish and a clergy member, I’m passionate about lending a hand both spiritual and natural,’ he said. ‘It’s important to come together to support our community’s resilience and rebuild stronger than ever!’ The hurricane’s impact extended beyond St Elizabeth, causing significant damage to homes, hospitals, and roads in Westmoreland, St James, St Ann, Trelawny, Manchester, and Clarendon. The Ministry of Information has confirmed 32 fatalities resulting from the storm.

In a heartbreaking incident, an 11-year-old boy was found dead at his family residence in Devon, Manchester, on Friday. The young victim, identified as Xavon Barnett (also spelled Zavon by some sources), was a student at Devon Primary School. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. Preliminary reports indicate that the boy was left at home alone while his mother participated in cleanup efforts at Devon Primary School following the devastation caused by Category five Hurricane Melissa. Upon her return, the mother reportedly discovered her son missing and alerted the child’s father. Two hours later, while doing laundry, she tragically found his body in the back of an old storeroom. Police were immediately notified, and detectives are now awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death. The community is left in shock as they mourn the loss of the young boy.

Jamaican students have achieved remarkable success in the June 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, securing top positions in 13 subjects across the region. The results, published on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) website, highlight the exceptional academic prowess of Jamaican scholars. Subjects such as Mathematics, Biology, Industrial Technology, French, and Caribbean History were among those dominated by Jamaican students. Campion College emerged as a standout institution, with multiple students ranking highly in various disciplines. For instance, Mijaun Antonio Talib Talbot shared the top spot in Mathematics with a student from Trinidad and Tobago, while Stephen Wong secured joint third place. In Biology, Ayeisha McPherson and Maleka Francis tied for first place with a Trinidadian student. Campion College’s Savindi Amarakoon claimed the sole top position in Caribbean History, with five other Jamaicans ranking in the Top 11. The school’s dominance extended to Economics and French, with Caira Cox and Alliana Freeman earning regional top honors, respectively. Additionally, Campion College students excelled in Principles of Accounts, Additional Mathematics, and Industrial Technology, with Javille Christaj Brown leading in Electrical Technology. Other notable achievements include Sai Abhinav Pydipalli’s joint first place in Human and Social Biology and Rachel Naomi Hazle’s top spot in Food, Nutrition, and Health. Jamaican students also performed strongly in Agricultural Science and Visual Arts, further cementing the nation’s academic excellence in the Caribbean region.