标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of the catastrophic Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across western Jamaica last week, Police Commissioner Kevin Blake has been at the forefront of relief and recovery operations. Leading a team of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) volunteers, Commissioner Blake has been instrumental in restoring normalcy to the devastated region. On Wednesday, the team focused their efforts on repairing the Barnett Street Police Station in St James. Collaborating with the Jamaica Fire Brigade, they conducted essential repairs, cleaned the compound and surrounding areas, and provided critical support to both police personnel and local residents. Amidst widespread hardship, with thousands left homeless and struggling to access basic necessities like food and water, the JCF has also been tasked with maintaining public order. Officers have employed persuasive tactics to deter looting and property damage, ensuring stability in the face of adversity. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, addressing Parliament on Wednesday, lauded the JCF for their dual role in maintaining security and delivering humanitarian aid. He particularly commended Commissioner Blake for his hands-on leadership, highlighting his active involvement in clearing debris and assisting with medical issues. ‘The JCF has proven to be multi-functional in this disaster, stepping up as social workers, firefighters, and medical aides,’ Holness remarked. The hurricane, the most powerful to hit Jamaica in recent history, has caused billions in damages to critical infrastructure, including businesses, schools, roadways, and hospitals, making the recovery efforts all the more crucial.

In a remarkable display of community spirit, two Kingston-based entrepreneurs ventured into the flood-ravaged Reading District in St. Elizabeth last week to deliver essential supplies to residents stranded by Hurricane Melissa. Andrew Brown, Managing Director of Screenshot Interactive, and Chris Boxe, Managing Partner of Chilitos Jamexican, left their office routines behind to trek through impassable roads and reach the isolated community. The duo also visited the Lacovia shelter, determined to provide relief where floodwaters had severed access. The initiative was sparked by news that Reading District, the hometown of DJ Anash, had been entirely cut off, leaving residents without food or assistance. Unable to use vehicles, Brown and Boxe hiked nearly two miles each way, making multiple trips on foot to ensure supplies reached those in need. Reflecting on the experience, Brown noted, ‘It’s one thing to hear that a community is cut off, but being there and walking through it is something else. Seeing how much people are enduring, and still staying positive, really puts things in perspective.’ Boxe described the journey as both challenging and humbling, emphasizing that even small efforts can make a significant impact. Meanwhile, DJ Anash has launched a community relief drive to support ongoing recovery efforts in Reading and surrounding areas. She is appealing for donations of non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, feminine products, medical supplies, and building materials. Collection points have been established at several locations in Kingston. ‘Every mickle mek a muckle,’ she shared, highlighting the importance of collective contributions. While recovery has begun in Black River, smaller communities like Reading remain flooded and inaccessible by road. Relief teams are working tirelessly to clear debris and reopen vital routes as recovery efforts intensify across the parish.

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, has introduced an innovative ‘adopt-a-family’ initiative to provide direct support to the most affected residents. The program aims to connect donors with families in need, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance.

The United States is bracing for significant travel disruptions as federal authorities mandate widespread flight cancellations amid an ongoing government shutdown. Starting Friday, airlines will implement a 10% reduction in flights across 40 high-traffic areas, following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive citing safety concerns. The shutdown has left tens of thousands of air traffic controllers, security personnel, and other critical staff unpaid, exacerbating personnel shortages and operational challenges. Last weekend alone, over 10,000 flights experienced delays, with travelers already enduring long security lines. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, ‘We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself.’ The cancellations coincide with the peak Thanksgiving travel season, potentially affecting thousands of daily flights. Major airports in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles are expected to bear the brunt of the disruptions. Airlines like United and Delta have pledged compliance but assured that international and hub-to-hub routes will remain unaffected. The shutdown, triggered by Congress’s failure to approve funding, has left 1.4 million federal workers either furloughed or working without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the strain on aviation staff, many of whom are taking sick leave or seeking secondary employment to make ends meet. Bedford described the situation as unprecedented, marking a new low in the impact of government shutdowns on critical infrastructure.

In the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across western Jamaica, the resilience of the affected communities has been both inspiring and concerning. Denworth Finnikin, a concerned citizen, has highlighted the immediate and long-term challenges faced by residents in areas such as St Elizabeth and Trelawny. While the spirit of the people is commendable, with many quickly repairing their homes using zinc sheets, the underlying issues of poor construction and maintenance pose a significant threat. Many homes have rotted or improperly constructed rafters and lathes, making them vulnerable to future storms. Finnikin emphasizes the need for a structured roof reconstruction program, modeled after the successful ‘Safe Roof Reconstruction’ project implemented post-Hurricane Gustav in 2010. This initiative, led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the HEART/NSTA Trust, ensured that homes were rebuilt to withstand future storms. Finnikin proposes a similar approach for western Jamaica, focusing on site advisement, professional execution, and public education campaigns to ensure long-term safety and resilience. He urges the relevant authorities to act decisively before the next hurricane season, highlighting the opportunity to address decades of vulnerability and invest in the security of rural citizens.

A damning independent review has exposed the entrenched systemic racism within London’s Metropolitan Police, highlighting that discrimination is deeply embedded in its systems, leadership, and culture. The report, released on Friday, echoes findings from a similar investigation conducted 26 years ago, underscoring the force’s persistent failure to address these issues. Commissioned following a 2023 study that labeled the Met as “institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic,” the 126-page analysis by Shereen Daniels, a renowned expert on systemic racism, delves into the structural causes of racial harm within the organization. Daniels’ report, titled “30 Patterns of Harm,” emphasizes that racial discrimination is not isolated to individual incidents but is a recurring pattern perpetuated by systemic flaws. The review also highlights how racism intertwines with other forms of discrimination, affecting both internal operations and public-facing policing. Recent scandals, including the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens and the 2023 conviction of David Carrick for multiple rapes, have further eroded public trust in the Met. The report calls for measurable reforms, urging the force to prioritize the lived experiences of Black Londoners, officers, and staff. Met Commissioner Mark Rowley acknowledged the report’s findings, admitting the need for further systemic and cultural changes while asserting that ongoing initiatives are making progress. However, he conceded that significant work remains to be done.