In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican government has unveiled plans to establish multiple field hospitals across the island as the death toll rises to 28. The Category 5 storm, which struck last Tuesday, severely damaged healthcare facilities in western Jamaica, prompting urgent measures to address the crisis. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton announced during a media briefing on Saturday that the first field hospital will be constructed in Black River, St. Elizabeth, with assistance from the international humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse. The facility, equipped with an operating theater and critical diagnostic equipment, is expected to begin operations on Sunday, November 2. Additional field hospitals will be set up in Savanna-la-mar, Falmouth, Noel Holmes, and Cornwall Regional. The Indian, Canadian, and Spanish governments have also pledged support by providing field hospitals. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in collaboration with humanitarian partners, has distributed essential supplies such as food, water, and care packages to patients and staff at Black River Hospital. International aid continues to pour in, with the World Food Programme delivering 5,000 food kits to feed 15,000 people for a week and the Dominican Republic sending a Navy vessel loaded with over 1,050,000 food rations and other relief supplies. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie reported significant progress in clearing major roads, including the reopening of the Class A road from Kingston to Lucea and the southern route from Santa Cruz to Black River. Additionally, the Jamaica Public Service Company has restored electricity to 150,000 customers across several parishes. The Jamaica Defence Force has also been actively involved, delivering relief packages to affected communities in Black River.
标签： Jamaica
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Ferncourt High begins clean-up after Hurricane Melissa
Ferncourt High School in St Ann, Jamaica, is in the midst of cleanup and restoration efforts following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Principal Sheldon Thomas, recently honored as the LASCO/Ministry of Education/Jamaica Teaching Council Principal of the Year for 2024–2025, has been overseeing the recovery process to ensure the school can return to normal operations promptly.
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Arsenal cruise against Burnley as Forest hold Man Utd
In a thrilling weekend of Premier League action, Arsenal solidified their position at the top of the table with a commanding 2-0 victory over Burnley. The Gunners, now seven points clear, showcased their dominance with goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice, both coming from set-piece situations. Mikel Arteta’s side has now won five consecutive league matches, positioning themselves as strong contenders to end their 20-year title drought. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s momentum was halted as they were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Nottingham Forest. Despite taking an early lead through Casemiro, United conceded twice in quick succession before Amad Diallo’s late volley salvaged a point. Chelsea continued their impressive form with a 1-0 win over Tottenham, courtesy of Joao Pedro’s goal, moving them into fourth place. Elsewhere, Liverpool prepared to face Aston Villa, hoping to end a four-match losing streak that has derailed their title defense. The weekend also saw Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Fulham secure crucial victories, while Wolves’ woes deepened with a 3-0 defeat at Fulham, leaving them eight points adrift of safety.
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ONE LOVE!
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, the global sports community has rallied to support the island’s recovery efforts. The hurricane, which caused extensive damage to rural areas, particularly in parishes like St Elizabeth, St James, and Clarendon, has prompted an outpouring of aid from athletes, teams, and sports organizations worldwide.
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Rainforest Caribbean opens soup kitchen for hurricane victims
In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on St James, Jamaica, Rainforest Caribbean has initiated a soup kitchen to provide essential support to affected residents. The facility officially commenced operations on Saturday, November 1, at Catherine Hall, located near the company’s headquarters. This initiative underscores Rainforest Caribbean’s ongoing dedication to the welfare of the Jamaican population.
Ben Jardim, Director of Rainforest Caribbean, shared insights into the project with Observer Online. He explained that the effort is starting modestly, as many team members are also grappling with the hurricane’s aftermath. The soup kitchen aims to serve communities severely impacted by the disaster, including Catherine Hall, by distributing meals throughout the week.
Jardim emphasized the company’s dual focus on organizing staff and conducting clean-up operations while maintaining their commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region. ‘We remain steadfast in our mission to feed the nation,’ he stated, highlighting the broader goal of supporting recovery efforts in the wake of the natural disaster.
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REVERSE SWEEP!
The West Indies concluded their T20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh with a commanding performance, securing a 3-0 series sweep. In the final match held at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, the Windies triumphed by five wickets, showcasing their depth and resilience. Stand-in captain Roston Chase and Ackeem Auguste both scored half-centuries, forming a crucial 93-run partnership that steered the team to victory. Romario Shepherd etched his name in history by becoming only the second West Indian to claim a T20I hat-trick, playing a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh to 151 runs. Despite a valiant 89 from Tanzid Hasan, Bangladesh’s batting lineup faltered, losing their last eight wickets for just 44 runs. Shepherd’s 3-36, supported by Khary Pierre (2-23) and Jason Holder (2-32), ensured the Windies’ dominance. Chase and Auguste’s aggressive batting, combined with Shepherd’s heroics, underscored the team’s all-round strength. The Windies’ comprehensive victory highlighted their tactical prowess and ability to perform under pressure, cementing their status as a formidable force in T20 cricket.
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#MelissaAftermath: Tufton says teams accessing reports of dead bodies in remote areas
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has announced a coordinated effort involving environmental health teams, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and other agencies to address critical issues in remote communities. Reports of deceased individuals and animals stranded in isolated areas have prompted urgent action. Dr. Tufton emphasized that while access to some regions remains challenging due to damaged roadways, progress is being made. ‘With improved communication, cleared roads, and enhanced mobility, we are now able to target specific areas and collaborate with authorities to secure others,’ he stated during a press briefing on Saturday. The minister highlighted the challenges of reaching marooned bodies and ensuring proper disposal of animal carcasses, noting that the JDF is providing air support to access affected zones. Additionally, Dr. Tufton mentioned that injured individuals, such as a man who suffered a broken leg and waited three days for medical attention, are being assisted. While official death toll figures are pending, the current count stands at 19, with updates expected from the Minister of Information, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, once police reports are finalized.
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Vinicius Junior in the clear over Clasico outburst
MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid’s star forward Vinicius Junior will not face any disciplinary measures following his emotional reaction to being substituted during last weekend’s high-stakes Clasico match against Barcelona. The 25-year-old Brazilian was visibly upset when he was replaced in the 72nd minute of the tense 2-1 victory, storming off the pitch and down the tunnel. While Vinicius later issued a public apology to fans, teammates, and club president Florentino Perez, he notably did not extend the same to head coach Xabi Alonso. However, Alonso confirmed on Friday that the matter has been resolved. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga clash with Valencia, Alonso revealed that Vinicius delivered a heartfelt and sincere speech during a team meeting, effectively closing the chapter on the incident. Alonso emphasized unity within the squad, stating, “We are all in the same boat and rowing in the same direction.” He also highlighted the competitive spirit of the players as a positive force. The incident occurred amid ongoing contract negotiations for Vinicius, whose current deal runs until 2027. Despite contributing five goals this season, Vinicius has been overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe’s stellar performance, with the Frenchman netting 16 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions. Real Madrid currently leads La Liga with 27 points, five ahead of Barcelona, and will face Valencia on Saturday.
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Cayman Islands blood bank sends donation to Jamaica
In a remarkable display of regional solidarity, the Cayman Islands Blood Bank has dispatched a vital shipment of 51 units of red cells and 72 units of plasma to Jamaica’s National Blood Transfusion Service. This donation, facilitated by the Health Services Authority (HSA), marks the first of several planned contributions to aid Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The initiative was spurred by an overwhelming public response, with 65 donors—including 13 first-time contributors—stepping forward to meet an urgent call for blood. This surge in donations far exceeds the usual daily average of fewer than 10 units, highlighting the community’s generosity. Dr. Lundie Richards, a consultant haematologist-oncologist at the HSA, praised the effort, describing it as a testament to humanity’s capacity for compassion. The HSA emphasized that this donation is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional health collaboration and emergency preparedness. Lizzette Yearwood, CEO of the HSA, lauded the initiative as lifesaving and urged continued donor participation, noting that blood has a limited shelf life of 35 days. Cayman Islands Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks also commended the donors, encouraging eligible individuals to contribute to both regional and local blood supplies. The Cayman Islands Blood Bank, which offers comprehensive blood-banking services, has also expanded its platelet availability and transfusion-medicine capabilities. Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has called for public blood donations as soon as conditions permit, following disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.
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Efforts underway to reconnect families
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, has highlighted the critical role of Starlink satellite-based Internet systems in reconnecting families and alleviating concerns among the Jamaican diaspora. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, left 70% of the country without electricity and disrupted communication networks, prompting an influx of calls to the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, from worried relatives seeking information about their loved ones.
Anderson announced that a team from Starlink’s headquarters is set to deploy Wi-Fi sites across Jamaica, enabling affected communities to access the internet and communicate with their families. While acknowledging the challenges faced by first responders, he urged patience and emphasized that the lack of communication does not necessarily indicate harm. He also praised the resilience of Jamaicans, noting that many have already found creative ways to inform the world of their safety.
The ambassador assured that the Jamaican government is prioritizing the restoration of communication and power infrastructure, with the Jamaica Public Service working to restore electricity in areas where the grid remains intact. Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that the Universal Service Fund (USF) is rolling out Starlink systems to provide immediate broadband coverage in key western communities while terrestrial infrastructure is repaired.
Anderson expressed gratitude for the international support Jamaica has received and cautioned against fraudulent donation schemes, urging individuals to use verified channels for contributions. He emphasized the importance of unity and resilience as the country transitions from rescue to recovery efforts, stating, ‘We are a strong people, and as supplies flow in and relief efforts intensify, we will see that resilience in action.’