标签： Jamaica

Under a drizzling, dusky sky, a woman stood with her hands on her head, gazing at the remnants of what might have been her home on Cooke Street in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland’s capital. The scene was hauntingly quiet, with roofless houses, shattered windows, and clothes hanging precariously on makeshift wires. Residents sat or stood in their yards, their faces etched with bewilderment, as the community grappled with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. This devastation was part of a broader crisis in Westmoreland, where approximately 80% of homes were destroyed, leaving thousands without shelter or hope for a swift recovery. The hurricane’s impact was exacerbated by the region’s crumbling infrastructure, including poor roads and limited modern facilities. Amid this despair, Dr. Patricia Smith, a Jamaican-American philanthropist, spearheaded a relief mission to deliver essential supplies such as rice, canned food, chicken, and drinking water. Supported by the Sweet P Home Care, the Dr. Patricia V Smith Foundation, the Acts of Miracles Foundation, and the Secret Hearts Spiritual Church of Jesus Christ International, Dr. Smith’s efforts focused on the most vulnerable. She emphasized the urgent need for aid in outlying communities like Water Works, Georges Plain, and Little London, which had received less attention from donors. Inspector Hartley of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Resort Areas Division confirmed the scale of destruction, while Chief Apostle Dr. Ray Anthony Foster praised Dr. Smith’s leadership in initiating a long-term rebuilding effort. The relief groups also provided cooked meals at central locations, with Dr. Smith feeding over 100 people in Savanna-la-Mar. She called on organizations like the World Central Kitchen to prioritize Westmoreland. Preliminary estimates place the hurricane’s damage between US$6 billion and US$7 billion, equivalent to 28-32% of Jamaica’s GDP for fiscal year 2024/2025. Despite the overwhelming challenges, the community’s resilience and the collective efforts of local and international organizations offer a glimmer of hope for recovery.

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Delroy ‘Jockey’ Walker, a 21-year-old apprentice jockey from Carol Crescent in Newlands, Portmore, has been charged with several serious offences following an armed robbery incident last month. The charges against Walker include robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, using a prohibited weapon to commit a scheduled offence, and assault at common law. The incident took place early in the morning on October 15, when a teenage girl was waiting at a bus stop along Bridgeport Road. Walker allegedly approached her, displayed a firearm, and demanded her belongings, including her cell phone and $32,000, before fleeing on foot. The victim reported the robbery to the Portmore Police, leading to an investigation. Walker was later identified in an identification parade and taken into custody. Authorities are currently arranging a court date for the case.

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left many individuals and small business owners in eastern Jamaica grappling with financial challenges, casting a shadow over the upcoming Christmas season. Despite being spared significant physical damage, residents have faced substantial economic strain due to their involvement in relief efforts in the western regions, which bore the brunt of the storm. The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) have called on the government to provide tax breaks and targeted financial support to alleviate the burden on small businesses. Meanwhile, individuals are seeking loan moratoria and leniency from financial institutions to manage their mounting expenses. Nickeba Dunkley, a resident who spent nearly $400,000 on relief efforts, exemplifies the personal sacrifices made by many. ‘Helping others felt like the right thing to do,’ she said, though she now worries about her monthly expenses. Small business owners like Carolyn Rose and Nicolette Richardson have maxed out credit cards to support their communities, while others, such as Nastassia Brown of Kingston’s Catch, have had to halt operations, further straining their cash flow. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced fiscal measures to aid recovery, including cash flow assistance and emergency social programs, but details remain scarce. Financial institutions like the National Housing Trust and Scotiabank Jamaica have introduced moratoriums on loan payments, but interest continues to accrue. As the Christmas season approaches, many are bracing for a subdued celebration, with a focus on gratitude and community rather than material gifts. ‘Christmas is going to be gloomy for sure,’ said Shudene Ramsay, CEO of Ramsay’s Professional Services Limited, reflecting the widespread sentiment of uncertainty and survival mode among affected communities.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, William Knibb Memorial High School in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is devising a shift system to resume educational activities. The hurricane inflicted substantial damage to the school’s infrastructure, with seven buildings affected, six of which suffered severe roof losses. Principal Linvern Wright, in an interview with JIS News, emphasized that the school’s immediate focus is on ensuring student safety, restoring essential utilities, and finding a feasible way to bring students back to classrooms.

The historic Lincoln’s Inn in London was the setting for a night of Caribbean brilliance on November 7, as The University of the West Indies (UWI) hosted its annual London Benefit Dinner. The event, themed ‘Elevate to Educate,’ brought together distinguished Caribbean-British figures, including Baroness Patricia Scotland, the first female Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Sir Trevor McDonald, a renowned journalist; and Ambassador Theresa Roberts, a philanthropist and entrepreneur. The black-tie gala also saw the presence of Diane Abbott, the UK’s longest-serving female MP, and high commissioners from Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. Baroness Floella Benjamin and Professor Shirley Thompson served as patrons, while actress Nathalie Emmanuel hosted the evening. The event highlighted UWI’s mission to integrate research, innovation, and advocacy, particularly in climate action, with proceeds funding postgraduate scholarships focused on environmental and social governance (ESG) themes. Awards were presented to notable institutions and individuals, including the VM Group, the University of Glasgow, and luminaries like Sonita Alleyne and Sir Trevor McDonald, celebrating their contributions to Caribbean and global progress.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has issued an urgent appeal to the Jamaican Government to devise and implement a comprehensive national strategy to combat the escalating public health threat posed by widespread garbage accumulation across the island. Shadow Minister of Local Government, Natalie Neita Garvey, emphasized in a Saturday statement that the growing domestic waste in every parish represents a “clear and present danger” to the population. She clarified that the issue extends beyond the debris left by Hurricane Melissa, which has only exacerbated an already dire situation. Neita Garvey acknowledged the challenges brought by the hurricane but stressed that further delays in addressing the waste crisis are untenable. She called on the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to adopt innovative and effective strategies to manage the crisis. The shadow minister highlighted that the combination of domestic waste and hurricane debris has created an “unprecedented islandwide crisis,” forcing some residents to resort to unsafe disposal methods. Neita Garvey urged Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to take proactive leadership and move “beyond excuses” to avert a potential public health emergency. Following consultations with municipal corporations, she advocated for a coordinated national response that leverages both state and private-sector resources, including compactors and crane trucks, to address the problem comprehensively. Neita Garvey called for the immediate convening of the NSWMA to prepare and execute a robust cleanup plan, warning that swift and decisive action is essential to restore normalcy to communities unaccustomed to such conditions.