标签： Jamaica

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of senior citizens, has successfully raised $800,000 through a collaborative fundraising initiative. The funds are being utilized to provide essential relief aid to elderly victims of Hurricane Melissa in the severely affected parishes of Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. Jean Lowrie-Chin, the founder and executive chair of CCRP, announced this milestone during the organization’s annual Living Legacy Awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. The fundraising effort was conducted in partnership with Jamaica’s renowned National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), which dedicated one of its dance season evenings to the cause. Proceeds from ticket sales were allocated to CCRP’s relief efforts. The funds have enabled the preparation of 150 food packages, 150 hygiene kits, and 75 cases of water, which are being distributed to elderly residents in the hardest-hit areas. The Breads Foundation and the Women’s Centre are facilitating the distribution in St Elizabeth, while church volunteers are handling deliveries in Westmoreland. Lowrie-Chin emphasized the vulnerability of elderly individuals in disaster-stricken regions, noting their heightened physical and emotional challenges. The relief packages include specialized items such as adult diapers and protein drinks to address their unique needs. Additionally, the National Council for Senior Citizens has deployed motorbikes to reach isolated communities. The CCRP also highlighted the plight of two of its members who suffered significant losses during the hurricane, including the loss of their homes. The organization remains committed to expanding its relief efforts, with proceeds from the recent awards ceremony further supporting these initiatives. Established in 2010, CCRP continues to empower seniors to contribute meaningfully to community and national development. The ceremony also honored 16 members for their outstanding contributions to nation-building.

Residents of West Green, St James, are voicing their frustration over the prolonged delay in restoring water services more than a week after Hurricane Melissa devastated the area. The lack of access to clean water has raised significant health concerns, with locals fearing the spread of waterborne diseases and skin infections. During a visit by Observer Online on Thursday, the community was seen sifting through mud-soaked belongings, struggling to recover from the floodwaters that inundated their homes. Shelly, a resident, highlighted the dire situation, stating, ‘It’s rough, especially without electricity and water to clean up. We have to fetch water from the river, which is exhausting and unsafe.’ She also expressed worries about potential health risks, including skin bacteria and water contamination. A water quality specialist from the Ministry of Health and Wellness arrived to distribute flyers advising residents on water treatment methods, such as filtering and boiling, to ensure safety. The specialist also warned about the risk of contamination from rats and insects, a concern that was underscored when a rat scurried past during the visit. Lloyd Bailey, a soil scientist and community member, criticized the slow response to the crisis, stressing the need for immediate access to basic necessities like water and food. He also pointed out long-standing issues with Jamaica’s drainage infrastructure, describing it as fundamentally flawed and incapable of handling heavy rainfall. Bailey emphasized that Hurricane Melissa should serve as a wake-up call for the country to address these systemic problems.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable solidarity, with key stakeholders stepping up to support national relief efforts. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has extended heartfelt gratitude to industry partners, particularly Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, for their swift and substantial contributions to recovery initiatives. These efforts are being coordinated through the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee, known as “Jamaica Tourism Cares,” in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Carnival Horizon made a special relief stop in Ocho Rios, delivering thousands of essential supplies, including bottled water, baby food, diapers, canned goods, cereal, and hygiene products. The shipment was handed over to ODPEM with the assistance of the Jamaica Tourism Cares team and Jamaican crew members aboard the vessel. Additionally, Carnival Corporation, in partnership with the Miami Heat basketball team and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, pledged US$1 million to the U.S.-based charity Direct Relief to bolster recovery efforts. Similarly, Royal Caribbean Group has committed over US$1 million and delivered more than 34 pallets of essential supplies, including bottled water, non-perishable food, bedding, and medical kits, to the hardest-hit areas in Falmouth. Minister Bartlett emphasized the significance of these contributions, stating that they not only provide immediate relief to affected families and tourism workers but also reinforce Jamaica’s resilience and recovery capacity. The Ministry of Tourism, through its public bodies, the Tourism Product Development Company and the Tourism Enhancement Fund, has been working with local organizations to ensure the transparent and efficient distribution of aid. Distribution efforts began in Trelawny, St. James, and Hanover and will continue in the coming days. Bartlett highlighted that these initiatives are part of a broader national recovery program aligned with ODPEM’s priorities. He also underscored the tourism sector’s responsibility to support communities, stating, “Tourism is not only about arrivals and revenues; it is about responsibility. Together, we are helping Jamaica and our people to heal, community by community, home by home.”

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, the Sandals Foundation has stepped in with a $6-million donation of critical medical equipment and resources to support the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston. This initiative aims to enhance the hospital’s capacity to care for critically ill neonates, infants, and children being transferred from hurricane-affected regions in the north and west of the island. The donation includes essential medical devices such as neonatal ventilators, infusion pumps, blood gas analyzers, and other life-saving tools, ensuring the hospital can meet the increased demand for specialized pediatric care. Dr. Michelle-Ann Dawson, Chief Medical Officer at Bustamante Hospital, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to accepting pediatric surgical patients, neonates, and those requiring sub-specialty care like cardiology and nephrology. She also highlighted the emotional challenges faced by families, noting efforts to provide psychological support and care packages. The Sandals Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, swiftly mobilized resources to address the crisis. Heidi Clake, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, expressed pride in supporting Jamaica’s children and healthcare system during this critical time. The donated equipment has already proven invaluable, with Dr. Carmen ‘Cindy’ Rhoden reporting successful care for a preterm neonate transferred from the west. As Jamaica’s only specialist pediatric hospital, Bustamante Hospital plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive care for children aged 0-12, including services in cardiology, neurology, and oncology. The hospital’s enhanced capacity will serve as a refuge for patients from severely affected pediatric centers across the island, ensuring continuity of care amidst the ongoing recovery efforts.

Marcia Francis, a grieving grandmother, is desperately seeking assistance to bury her grandson, Matthew Small, who was fatally shot by members of the security forces nearly a year ago. As the anniversary of the tragic incident approaches, Francis has been left without the means to lay her grandson to rest.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has upheld complaints against one of its reporters, Martine Croxall, for deviating from her script during a live broadcast and altering the phrase ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women.’ The incident, which occurred during an interview about heatwave research and vulnerable groups, quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate. Croxall’s facial expression during the word change was also scrutinized, with viewers interpreting it as conveying contempt or a personal stance on a contentious issue. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) concluded that her actions gave the ‘strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter,’ which falls short of the corporation’s professional standards for its journalists. While BBC management initially defended Croxall, citing a confusing script and noting that the interviewee also used the term ‘pregnant women,’ the ECU maintained that her inadvertent behavior was inconsistent with the BBC’s expectations. The incident highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding transgender identities and the challenges of navigating sensitive topics in media.