标签： Jamaica

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across St James, with several schools and churches suffering significant damage. Among the affected institutions are the Herbert Morrison Technical High School and the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, both of which experienced substantial harm to their infrastructure on Tuesday. Numerous other establishments in the parish have also reported compromised structures, necessitating extensive repairs that could span several months in some cases. The Hillview Baptist Church in Albion was particularly hard-hit, with its roof and other sections of the building sustaining extensive damage. These institutions, which have historically served as shelters during disasters, now find themselves in dire need of assistance. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, as some communities are still inaccessible due to impassable roads, hindering the delivery of support and aid.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a decisive move to address the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon has unveiled the formation of multiple Cabinet subcommittees. These committees are tasked with leading the government’s recovery and relief initiatives, ensuring a coordinated and swift national response. The announcement was made during a press briefing on Friday, where Morris Dixon detailed the structure and objectives of the newly established bodies. At the forefront is the Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee, co-chaired by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie and Minister of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz. This committee will oversee the broader recovery process, with additional members including ministers Pearnel Charles Jr., Matthew Samuda, Andrew Wheatley, Kamina Johnson Smith, and Dana Morris Dixon. Ex-officio members Fayval Williams and Audrey Marks will also contribute to the oversight efforts. In a strategic move to engage the private sector, a dedicated committee has been formed to streamline contributions and investments from businesses. Co-chaired by Senator Keith Duncan and Audrey Marks, this committee is set to convene its inaugural meeting on Friday at 4:00 pm. Meanwhile, Minister Olivia Grange has been assigned to mobilize the church community to bolster relief activities, and Minister Robert Montague will focus on reconnecting families displaced or separated by the hurricane. The subcommittees are expected to commence their work immediately, prioritizing the restoration of essential services, providing aid to affected families, and supporting long-term reconstruction efforts.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, is grappling with severe devastation and a desperate struggle for survival. A local resident, known as Bowes, has revealed that many in the community have resorted to looting to secure basic necessities like food. ‘We have to do little looting because we don’t know if we ago get food for now,’ Bowes stated, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the townspeople. He painted a grim picture of the town’s future, asserting that Black River is unlikely to recover anytime soon. ‘Black River not coming back for now, right here mash up. This can’t come back,’ he lamented. Bowes, who lost his roof in the hurricane, is currently sharing a single room with ten other individuals, a situation he describes as a necessity for survival. ‘Everybody have to put up who they can put up,’ he explained. Despite the challenges, Bowes noted that he has yet to see any government officials providing assistance, leaving residents to fend for themselves in the aftermath of the disaster.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has issued a stern call to the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) to uphold fairness and transparency in its billing processes. The regulator emphasized the importance of exercising ‘good practice and reasonable consideration’ when preparing bills for customers affected by service disruptions or property damage.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has officially reached 19, but authorities warn that the number is likely to rise as recovery operations persist across the island. Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon shared the update during a press briefing on Friday, emphasizing the government’s ongoing efforts to locate and recover missing individuals. ‘When the number changes, I will inform you,’ Morris Dixon stated. ‘These are Jamaicans, and it is heartbreaking to know they have lost their lives. Every single life lost is a profound tragedy. While these numbers are distressing, we are doing everything possible to retrieve the bodies and support the affected families.’ According to the minister, eight bodies have been recovered in St. Elizabeth, nine in Westmoreland, and two in St. James. Reports suggest that five additional bodies may still be in Westmoreland, with search and rescue operations continuing in the region. Teams from the Jamaica Defence Force and other emergency responders are tirelessly working in flood-affected and landslide-prone areas across the western parishes. Morris Dixon extended her condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aiding the impacted communities.