标签： Jamaica

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Trelawny, Jamaica, are grappling with a severe water shortage as the National Water Commission (NWC) struggles to restore piped water services. The Martha Brae River, which reportedly overflowed during the storm, has become a critical source of water for many. Long queues of residents have been observed along the roadway from Martha Brae to Falmouth, collecting untreated river water for essential domestic uses such as bathing, laundry, and flushing toilets. The situation has drawn significant attention, with motor vehicles lining both sides of the road as people fill containers with the available water. One resident commented, ‘It’s clean river water flowing on both sides of the road. We don’t drink it directly, but if necessary, we can boil it.’ The crisis highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the aftermath of natural disasters, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure resilience and emergency response improvements.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a collaborative effort to aid Hurricane Melissa recovery, donations will be collected during the FIFA World Cup qualification match between Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz and Curaçao on November 18 at the National Stadium in Kingston. The initiative is spearheaded by the Jamaica Red Cross in partnership with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange highlighted the significance of the initiative during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Monday. ‘This is one way the Reggae Boyz are contributing to the relief efforts,’ she stated, adding that discussions are ongoing with other national teams to explore additional support avenues.

Minister Grange also revealed that the president of the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) will attend the match, underscoring the event’s importance. Furthermore, she announced the appointment of Bishop Herro Blair as the national coordinator of the Religious and Faith-Based Organisations team. Bishop Blair will lead engagement and coordinate relief efforts across diverse religious groups, including Rastafarians, Revivalists, Muslims, Hindus, and Baha’i.

Expressing gratitude for the public’s unwavering support, Minister Grange encouraged everyone to participate in the recovery and rebuilding process. ‘We will get over this… We will recover and rebuild better than before,’ she affirmed, emphasizing the collective resilience of the nation.

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has brought profound emotional and logistical challenges to Jamaica, as recovery teams struggle to retrieve bodies from storm-ravaged communities. Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon described the process as one of the most painful aspects of the disaster response, with some victims still trapped in inaccessible areas only reachable by helicopter. Speaking at a post-hurricane media briefing, she emphasized the emotional toll on both responders and families, as the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) work tirelessly to recover bodies scattered across isolated western parishes. The death toll has risen to 32, with eight additional cases under investigation to determine if they are storm-related. Recovery efforts have been hampered by impassable roads and washed-out bridges, forcing reliance on aerial missions. Helicopters have been crucial for transporting both the deceased and emergency supplies, though unstable terrain and lack of safe landing zones have added to the complexity. Morris Dixon stressed the importance of timely reporting from local representatives, who play a critical role in identifying marooned communities and prioritizing rescue missions. Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. revealed that 25 communities remain cut off, with hundreds of families displaced and many having lost everything. The government’s relief operation has expanded into a large-scale logistical effort involving multiple agencies and international partners, including Food For the Poor and the World Food Programme. Over 40,000 relief packages have been prepared, with plans to sustain affected families in the coming weeks. Despite challenges, Charles affirmed that aid has reached every parish, with social workers, JDF soldiers, and partners working tirelessly even in areas with no connectivity.

PARIS, France (AFP)—Shein, the Asian e-commerce powerhouse, has vowed to fully cooperate with French judicial authorities following a scandal involving the sale of childlike sex dolls on its platform. The company has also committed to disclosing the identities of individuals who purchased these controversial items. This controversy emerges just as Shein is poised to open its first physical store globally, located in the prestigious BHV department store in central Paris on Wednesday. Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s spokesperson in France, emphasized the company’s transparency and readiness to assist authorities, stating, “We will cooperate fully with the judicial authorities and ensure this does not happen again.” The Paris prosecutor’s office has initiated investigations against Shein and other online retailers, including AliExpress, Temu, and Wish, for distributing inappropriate content accessible to minors. The probe was triggered after France’s anti-fraud unit reported the sale of these dolls on Shein’s platform. A photo of one such doll, measuring approximately 80 centimeters and holding a teddy bear, accompanied by an explicit caption, was published by French media. Ruffat condemned the incident as “serious, unacceptable, intolerable,” attributing it to a lapse in the company’s processes. In response, Shein has implemented a total ban on sex-doll-type products and removed all related listings. The controversy has sparked broader debates about Shein’s impact on traditional retail and its ethical practices. Critics have expressed concerns about unfair competition, environmental issues, and poor working conditions associated with the brand. Frederic Merlin, director of SGM, which operates BHV, faced criticism for partnering with Shein but defended the decision, citing the company’s cooperation with authorities and its significant customer base in France. Merlin expressed optimism that Shein’s presence would boost foot traffic at the department store.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a robust Building Support Programme aimed at accelerating recovery efforts across the island. The announcement was made during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, emphasizing the initiative’s focus on empowering Members of Parliament (MPs) to lead localized relief efforts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican government has instructed the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company to assess the viability of relocating portions of the electricity grid underground. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced this initiative during a session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for resilience in the power infrastructure.

Holness highlighted specific areas, including Montego Bay’s Elegant Corridor and Hip Strip, as priority zones for this underground project. These regions, central to Jamaica’s tourism industry, sustained significant damage during the hurricane. While acknowledging the high costs associated with underground infrastructure, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of balancing expenses with the need for a robust and resilient grid.

In parallel, the government has prioritized power restoration in critical facilities such as hospitals, water plants, and communication hubs, as well as densely populated residential areas. Holness noted that the ‘all clear for restoration of utility services’ has enabled JPS and independent contractors to mobilize extensively. The Ministry of Energy is overseeing grid stabilization efforts and addressing localized issues, including low voltage on restored feeders.

The Prime Minister assured the public that the government is providing strategic guidance to JPS, focusing on restoring large commercial and urban centers alongside essential public services. He also pledged to keep citizens informed about the progress of re-energization efforts across parishes as the network undergoes repairs and reconstruction.