标签： Jamaica

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.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) has established a robust presence in Jamaica, tirelessly preparing and distributing thousands of meals daily to those in need. Two expansive field kitchens have been set up—one at the Montego Bay Convention Centre and another in Negril—where local chefs and volunteers craft comforting dishes such as stewed chicken, rice, and peas. These meals are then delivered to shelters and communities grappling with the storm’s devastation.

Reggae icon Buju Banton has intensified his accusations regarding the alleged theft of hurricane relief supplies at a port, directly targeting Transport Minister Daryl Vaz. Banton claims that Vaz is attempting to discredit him after the minister dismissed the allegations on Thursday. In a video shared earlier this week, Banton presented a photo of a half-filled barrel as evidence, asserting that containers of aid for disaster victims had been pilfered. Vaz, however, countered these claims, stating that an investigation revealed no missing or tampered goods. According to Vaz, the shipment arrived on Tuesday and was promptly cleared by customs, with items moving directly from the aircraft to the receiving truck without any offsite storage. He emphasized that the pallets were sealed and cross-checked against the sender’s list, asserting, “Nothing was missing or disturbed.” Banton, in a subsequent post, disputed Vaz’s account, alleging that the goods were taken to an area out of his team’s sight and that seals were broken. He accused the minister of lacking accountability and attempting to shame him for speaking out. Banton also highlighted systemic issues, citing comments from others who had experienced similar problems. Vaz responded by offering to share video footage and the cargo manifest, urging Banton to specify the missing items for further investigation. The exchange has sparked a public debate over transparency and accountability in disaster relief efforts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA) has issued a stark warning about the challenges facing the nation’s pork industry. While an oversupply of pigs is currently burdening farmers, a significant decline in pork production is anticipated in the coming months. This paradoxical situation stems from the temporary closure of numerous hotels and businesses, which has disrupted traditional market channels.