标签： Jamaica

TREASURE BEACH, St Elizabeth — In the aftermath of the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, the organizers of the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival have decided to postpone this year’s event. The decision reflects the urgent need to focus on relief and rebuilding efforts in Treasure Beach and surrounding areas, which have been severely impacted by the storm.

In a heartwarming display of solidarity, US Olympian Noah Lyles, alongside his Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation, has extended a helping hand to the hurricane-ravaged community of Georges Valley in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. This initiative was particularly poignant as it targeted the hometown of Lyles’ fiancé, Junelle Bromfield, a fellow track and field athlete. The donation, comprising essential groceries and toiletries, was facilitated by retired Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell and his wife Alyshia, who were instrumental in packing and distributing the supplies. Powell, in a heartfelt video shared on his social media, emphasized the dire need for collective action, stating, ‘People are really suffering, as much as I can help, I will help.’ He further highlighted the importance of unity in these trying times, ‘The more people come together is the more people we can feed.’ Adding to the chorus of support, Orlando Bennett, a silver medalist in the 110m hurdles, also lent his voice to the cause, urging others to contribute to the relief efforts if possible. Bromfield, reflecting on her deep-rooted connection to the community, shared a video message expressing her desire to give back to the place that had supported her throughout her athletic journey. ‘The community was always helping me out, whether it was in high school to go to Penn Relays, they raised money, taking me to school for free… So I really wanted to give back,’ she said. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that recently struck the southwest of Jamaica, has left St Elizabeth and its neighboring parishes in dire need of assistance. This collaborative effort by Lyles, Bromfield, Powell, and Bennett serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others to join in the recovery efforts.

Western Jamaica remains in turmoil as fuel shortages persist in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the region earlier this week. Long queues of motorists formed at the few operational gas stations, with many expressing frustration over the prolonged wait times and limited supply. At Flamingo Gas Station in Trelawny, drivers recounted their struggles to find fuel, with some traveling past multiple closed stations before reaching one with available stock. Nicholas, a motorist from Ironshore, shared his ordeal, stating he had already passed four stations without success. Anthony, another driver, lamented waiting nearly an hour with little progress. Station staff also voiced their exasperation, citing a lack of discipline among the growing crowds. Meanwhile, business owners like Jason Cummings, managing director of Jascum Solutions Limited, emphasized the critical need for fuel to sustain operations, particularly for essential services like airport repairs. Similar scenes unfolded in Montego Bay, where reopened stations faced overwhelming demand, leading to tense confrontations among residents. The crisis highlights the broader challenges faced by communities in western Jamaica as they strive to recover from the hurricane’s devastation. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced measures to address the fuel shortage, including police escorts for tankers and uninterrupted loading operations at Petrojam, the state-owned refinery, to ensure islandwide distribution.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a dedicated medical mission led by Dr. Alfred Dawes, the Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness, has brought critical support to the parishes of Hanover and Westmoreland. The initiative, launched on Saturday morning, aims to assist hospitals, healthcare workers, and residents severely impacted by the devastating storm. The 31-member team, which includes Dr. Katia Maria Aguilera, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, along with doctors, medical students, and nurses, has volunteered their time and expertise to address urgent medical needs. The mission is primarily focused on supporting the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and the Noel Holmes Hospital, where they are providing essential services such as health checks, wound care, and general medical assistance. Additionally, the team is distributing vital supplies, including sterile gloves, disinfectants, repellents, feminine hygiene products, medication, and bottled water. If time allows, they plan to extend their efforts to reach isolated communities previously cut off by the storm. Dr. Dawes emphasized the mission’s dual purpose of action and compassion, stating, ‘Our healthcare workers and communities in the west have been under tremendous strain since Hurricane Melissa. Today, we’re bringing not just supplies, but hope and solidarity to those who need it most.’ He also highlighted the importance of collective effort in national recovery, noting, ‘We all have a role to play in helping each other and rebuilding our country. This mission is a reminder that when we come together across professions, communities, and borders, we can make a real difference.’ Dr. Dawes expressed gratitude to the volunteers and partners who made the initiative possible, adding that the team will continue to assess urgent healthcare needs in the affected areas and coordinate additional support in the coming days.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson has issued a rallying cry for national unity and strategic rebuilding in the wake of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, Patterson emphasized that the recovery effort must transcend political and denominational divides, urging Jamaicans to come together with a shared purpose. He stressed the importance of building smarter, given Jamaica’s vulnerability to natural disasters, and proposed revisiting past initiatives to guide the current response. Patterson highlighted the success of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), established after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, as a model for efficient and transparent disaster management. He commended Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his administration for their preparedness and initial response but underscored the need for long-term planning and community involvement. Patterson advocated for innovative construction methods and materials to ensure resilience against future hurricanes, which he noted are becoming more frequent and severe. He also called for bipartisan cooperation and legislative action to address both immediate and long-term needs, emphasizing that rebuilding efforts must account for Jamaica’s susceptibility to natural disasters and the cultural habits of its people.

Renowned reggae artist Jah Cure, whose real name is Siccature Alcock, has been handed a significantly extended prison sentence by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. The court sentenced him to eight years and four months in prison for the 2021 stabbing of Dutch concert promoter Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake. The incident occurred following a business dispute over payment for a performance in Amsterdam. Jah Cure allegedly waited for Blake at Dam Square and stabbed him in the stomach in broad daylight. The court found that the act was premeditated, based on voice messages sent by Jah Cure to a friend, in which he expressed his intent to stab Blake. Initially, Jah Cure was acquitted of attempted murder but convicted of attempted manslaughter in March 2022, receiving a six-year sentence. However, Dutch prosecutors appealed the acquittal, leading to the recent ruling. Jah Cure has been in pre-trial detention since 2022, awaiting the outcome of the appeal. His lawyer has also appealed the attempted manslaughter conviction, maintaining that the act was not premeditated.

In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the Golden Krust restaurant group has spearheaded a significant relief campaign in the United States, aiming to raise over US$250,000. This initiative supports on-the-ground relief efforts coordinated by The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ). Golden Krust, the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to secure a franchise license, has mobilized its network of over 100 restaurants to establish a relief fund, kickstarted by a US$10,000 contribution from the company. Customers dining at Golden Krust locations can also contribute by adding donations of $1, $3, or $5 at checkout, with all proceeds directly aiding Hurricane Melissa relief. The fundraising campaign will continue until the end of the year. Additionally, Golden Krust has introduced the ‘Boxes of Hope’ initiative, enabling customers to donate essential relief goods, which will be shipped directly to affected areas in Jamaica. Steven Clarke, Vice President of Marketing at Golden Krust, emphasized the company’s commitment to community and compassion, values rooted in its Jamaican heritage. He stated, ‘In collaboration with AFJ and our partners, we are dedicated to providing meaningful support and hope to those devastated by Hurricane Melissa.’ The campaign unites Golden Krust, AFJ, and a coalition of trusted organizations, including the NCB Foundation, Food For The Poor, Global Empowerment Mission, Sanmerna Foundation, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, JetBlue, and Dennis Shipping, to deliver comprehensive aid to Jamaica.

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Attorney Thomas Levene has issued an urgent plea for the relocation of 65 prisoners currently detained at the Black River Police Station, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane has left the station’s lower section completely flooded, creating inhumane conditions for both detainees and police personnel. Levene highlighted the dire situation, stating that the prisoners lack access to basic necessities such as food and clean water. He emphasized that the crisis extends beyond the police station, with the entire Black River community facing severe distress. Residents are grappling with flooding, water shortages, and a lack of shelter, prompting Levene to call for a potential evacuation of the area. The attorney urged authorities to act swiftly to relocate the prisoners and provide emergency relief to affected residents, stressing the need for immediate intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.