标签： Jamaica

As recovery operations persist in Jamaica’s southwestern parishes, a young professional has proposed the establishment of Standardised Community Relief Zones (SCRZs) to address logistical challenges in aid distribution. Daineroy Allen, a management consultant and compliance specialist, highlighted the inefficiencies caused by traffic gridlock and last-mile distribution issues during relief efforts. While acknowledging the use of air support to expedite aid delivery, Allen emphasized the need for a functional ground strategy to complement these efforts. His SCRZ initiative aims to create consistent, predictable relief hubs in each affected parish, ensuring smoother coordination for both local residents and international aid organizations. Allen, who also serves as COO of Narro Ventures in Canada, has submitted his proposal to key government agencies, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie. Although he has yet to receive feedback, Allen remains optimistic about the plan’s potential to bring order, speed, and safety to the relief process. He believes that standardisation will enable faster training, quicker deployment of national resources, and seamless integration of international aid teams. Allen also urged young professionals to contribute their expertise to enhance recovery efforts, stressing the importance of transitioning from emergency delivery to a structured, localized system. He envisions a phased implementation of SCRZs, leveraging existing relief groups to ensure long-term community stabilization.

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport has unveiled a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Spearheaded by Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange, the initiative includes the ‘I Love Jamaica Telethon and Concert Series,’ designed to mobilize resources for recovery efforts. The telethon, scheduled for Sunday, November 23, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, will be broadcast live on CVM TV and TVJ, as well as streamed globally on digital platforms. The event will feature performances by renowned artists such as Chris Martin, Masicka, Alaine, and Tarrus Riley, alongside sports icons like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Asafa Powell, who will actively participate by answering donation calls. Minister Grange emphasized the importance of leveraging Jamaica’s creative and sports sectors to support those most affected, particularly in the western parishes. All funds raised will be managed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Additionally, a series of international concerts will be held, starting in London on November 13 at KOKO Camden, followed by a mega concert at the O2 in London on December 21, 2025, featuring UB40 and Culture Club. Other concerts are planned for Miami/Miramar, New York, Toronto, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, with Serbia also expressing interest in hosting an event. The campaign has garnered support from global figures, including Damian Marley and Ghetto Youths International, who are organizing fundraising events in the US. The ministry is also collaborating with the Jamaica Football Federation to host international friendly games featuring the Reggae Boyz in the US and UK, while the Caribbean Premier League and Chris Gayle are contributing to the cause.

In a remarkable tale of resilience, Poko Loko, the iconic floating bar in Ocho Rios, has emerged unscathed from the wrath of Hurricane Melissa, just a year after being severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl. The popular venue is gearing up to welcome patrons once again this Saturday, November 15, marking a triumphant return to normalcy.

Anthony Warren, the Chief Executive Officer of Poko Loko, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received during the storm. ‘We are incredibly thankful for the prayers, messages, and emails from everyone. I’m thrilled to report that the bar didn’t sustain even a scratch during Hurricane Melissa,’ Warren shared with Observer Online. He attributed this success to a meticulously executed hurricane preparedness plan, which included relocating the bar to a secure harbor, securing it firmly, and maintaining a team of security and maintenance staff throughout the storm.

Warren also conveyed his excitement for the reopening, urging the community to join in the celebrations. ‘We are overjoyed and can’t wait to welcome everyone back on November 15. Get ready for an unforgettable time at Poko Loko,’ he added.

Beyond its own recovery, Poko Loko has extended a helping hand to the broader community. In collaboration with Operation Care Base at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the bar has contributed essential relief supplies, including food, generators, tools, chainsaws, Starlinks, and welding equipment, to aid residents of Ocho Rios and Browns Town affected by Hurricane Melissa.

This dual effort of rebuilding and community support underscores Poko Loko’s commitment to resilience and solidarity, setting a shining example of how businesses can play a pivotal role in disaster recovery.

In a targeted operation in the Lodge district of Riversdale, St Catherine, law enforcement officials successfully recovered a 9mm pistol along with an attached magazine on Sunday evening. Acting on actionable intelligence, a specialized police unit conducted the operation around 6:30 pm. The firearm was discovered concealed within a bag, strategically placed behind an abandoned structure in the area. Despite the recovery of the weapon, no arrests were made in connection with the incident. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are actively ongoing to trace the origins of the firearm and identify potential suspects involved in its possession. This operation underscores the continued efforts by Jamaican police to combat illegal arms circulation and enhance community safety.

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Following an extensive five-hour tour of Falmouth, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, described the state of the historic town’s infrastructure as “frightening.” The assessment comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that wreaked unprecedented havoc across Jamaica, leaving Falmouth in ruins. McKenzie drew parallels between the devastation in Falmouth and the severely impacted capital of St. Elizabeth, Black River, noting that the only advantage Falmouth holds is its ongoing commercial activity. However, the extensive damage to infrastructure remains a grave concern. One of the most distressing sights was the Falmouth Infirmary, which once housed over 100 residents and staff. McKenzie emphasized that the facility is now uninhabitable, and alternative arrangements are being explored to accommodate its former occupants. In contrast, the nearby drop-in center and shelter fared better, sustaining only minor damage and already providing refuge to several individuals. McKenzie also highlighted the severe damage to Falmouth’s famed Georgian architecture, particularly the Falmouth Court House, which serves as the headquarters of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation. He stressed the need to engage with the Minister of Culture to address the restoration of heritage buildings, acknowledging that repairs may not meet current standards due to the extent of the damage. Mayor of Falmouth, C Junior Gager, echoed these concerns, noting the destruction of the main municipal building and suggesting that constructing a new facility on alternative land might be more practical than restoration. Despite the devastation, McKenzie commended the resilience of the Jamaica Fire Brigade in Falmouth, who continue to operate under challenging conditions, even as some firefighters have lost their homes. The minister’s tour is part of the government’s broader damage assessment and emergency relief efforts in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

In a landmark ruling at Jamaica’s Supreme Court, Gun Court Division, Oshane Hayles was acquitted of gun-related charges after a five-day trial presided over by Justice Tara Carr. Hayles had faced accusations of illegal firearm possession, illegal ammunition possession, and two counts of common law assault stemming from an alleged altercation with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The verdict underscored the principle of presumed innocence and the necessity for the prosecution to meet its burden of proof. Hayles’ attorney, Rodain Richardson, emphasized the importance of adhering to the law and urged Jamaicans to avoid criminal activities, stating, ‘Freedom is a gift, and we must use it to build, not destroy.’ The prosecution’s case hinged on claims that police officers witnessed a man matching Hayles’ description running through a volatile community with a firearm, allegedly pointing it at them before being shot and disarmed. However, the defense dismantled this narrative during cross-examination, revealing significant inconsistencies in the officers’ testimonies. Forensic evidence further weakened the prosecution’s case, as DNA swabs from the firearm excluded Hayles, and no fingerprints or biological traces linked him to the weapon. Justice Carr highlighted the lack of forensic evidence and the officers’ unreliable accounts, ultimately ruling that the Crown failed to prove Hayles’ guilt on all charges. The acquittal has sparked discussions about legal integrity, forensic scrutiny, and the challenges of ensuring justice in high-stakes cases.