标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has dealt a severe blow to Jamaica’s agriculture sector, leading to a sharp rise in food prices. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green disclosed on Tuesday that the hurricane caused staggering losses amounting to $29.5 billion, significantly impacting the nation’s food supply chain. This week, the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston witnessed heightened frustrations among buyers as prices for essential produce surged. Sweet and hot peppers are now priced at $1,500 per pound, while escallion ranges between $1,000 and $1,500 per pound. Thyme is being sold for $1,200 per pound, and tomatoes cost between $400 and $500 per pound. Vendors warn that prices are likely to escalate further as the Christmas season approaches, compounding the challenges faced by consumers.

The Jamaica Classic Car Club (JCCC) is set to host its much-anticipated Classic Car Show this Sunday, November 16, at the Jamaica Horticultural Society in Hope Pastures, St. Andrew. Originally intended as a fundraiser for the club, the event has now been repurposed to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Naresh Potopsingh, President of the JCCC, emphasized the shift in focus, stating, ‘Initially, the show was planned to raise funds for the club, but now we aim to contribute to hurricane relief.’ This marks the first car show organized by the JCCC since 2018. The club’s executive will determine how the funds will be allocated post-event, with assurances that the proceeds will be directed to areas of greatest need. ‘This is a challenging time, and we want to do our part to help,’ Potopsingh added. The event will showcase a diverse array of classic and modern vehicles from the club’s members, offering patrons a unique automotive experience. Potopsingh highlighted the club’s efforts to mobilize members to bring as many vehicles as possible, promising ‘a mix of all kinds of cars.’ Beyond the car displays, attendees can enjoy gate prizes, a fashion exhibition by Phusion Models International, and music curated by DJ Audley. The JCCC continues to demonstrate its commitment to community support and its passion for automotive heritage.

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, GraceKennedy Group (GK) has unveiled a $200 million relief initiative aimed at addressing critical needs across Jamaica. The program focuses on four core areas: food security, financial accessibility, health and wellness, and education. GK’s CEO, Frank James, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting affected communities, stating, ‘Our priority is to help Jamaica recover and rebuild stronger than before.’ The initiative has garnered support from key business partners, including Frito-Lay (PepsiCo), Western Union, and Proctor & Gamble, who are contributing essential supplies such as food, water, and hygiene products. GK has also collaborated with international organizations like World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals to residents in the hardest-hit parishes. Additionally, the company has distributed over 1,300 care packages through its GraceKennedy Foundation Food Bank, with plans to deliver 1,500 more this week. Each package contains enough supplies to sustain a family of four for one week. GK’s financial services arm has played a pivotal role in restoring cash access by reopening branches and waiving remittance fees. The company is also addressing health needs by donating medical supplies and clean water to hospitals, while offering counselling services to employees affected by the disaster. As Jamaica transitions from emergency relief to recovery, GK is shifting its focus to long-term resilience, particularly in education and agriculture. The company is re-equipping schools and supporting farming communities to ensure food security and educational continuity. ‘Melissa has tested our resilience, but together, we are stronger,’ James concluded, reaffirming GK’s dedication to Jamaica’s recovery.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) has spearheaded a monumental recovery initiative in collaboration with the Building a Better Jamaica program and various partner organizations. This effort aims to assist affected communities in rebuilding and restoring normalcy.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which has been described as the most devastating hurricane to strike Jamaica, government agencies have ramped up their efforts to restore normalcy in the severely affected Catherine Hall and West Green communities. The clean-up operation, now in its second phase, focuses on removing remaining debris and implementing extensive sanitization measures. Minister Robert Morgan, responsible for works, highlighted the extensive damage, noting that floodwaters reached up to 10 feet, with mud levels in some areas as high as three feet. Over 700 truckloads of debris, including destroyed furniture, have already been removed by the National Solid Waste Management Authority. The second phase involves mobilizing community members, alongside agencies like China Harbour Engineering, the municipality, and the National Works Agency, to ensure thorough sanitization and debris removal. Minister Andrew Wheatley emphasized the collaborative efforts with various state agencies, including the National Water Commission and the fire brigade, to expedite the restoration process. Despite the significant losses suffered by residents, there is a collective gratitude that no lives were lost. The government is also focusing on public health risks, ensuring that areas posing health hazards are promptly addressed. Wheatley acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the disaster, with rivers overflowing and water levels reaching historic highs, and stressed the importance of learning from this experience to implement future mitigation strategies. The cost of the recovery efforts is yet to be finalized, but the central government is fully supporting the multi-agency initiative to bring relief to the affected communities.

As Jamaica approaches the festive season, the island finds itself at a crossroads, balancing the need for celebration with the somber reality of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Jamaica are traditionally vibrant, family-centered occasions filled with cultural richness, delectable cuisine, and continuous festivities. However, this year, the conversation has shifted to whether such celebrations are appropriate in the wake of widespread destruction.

In a significant development following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) President and CEO Hugh Grant announced a dramatic improvement in the island’s electricity restoration efforts. Speaking at a press conference in St James on Thursday, Grant revealed that power service has jumped from 23% to 67% within just two weeks. Over 310,000 customers have now been reconnected to the grid, a feat attributed to meticulous preparation, resilient infrastructure, and strategic partnerships.