标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has initiated its Hurricane Melissa Relief Response, delivering essential care packages to severely affected communities in St Elizabeth, including Treasure Beach, Pondside, Carisbrook, and Black River. This first phase of the national recovery effort was made possible through the collaboration of major sponsors Wisynco, Honey Bun, and National Bakery, who provided bottled water, Powerade, baked goods, and other necessities.

Two weeks after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has successfully restored electricity to 64% of its customers, according to JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant. Speaking at a government-organized press briefing on Tuesday, Grant described the progress as a “solid achievement” given the extensive damage caused by the storm. Over 300,000 customers have been reconnected since the hurricane left large parts of the island without power. Grant emphasized that the on-ground devastation was far more severe than aerial assessments suggested, particularly in the western region, which requires extensive rebuilding rather than simple repairs. To accelerate restoration, JPS has deployed over 200 additional overseas line workers and is bringing in specialized equipment, including bucket trucks and hole-digging vehicles. The company has prioritized restoring critical services such as hospitals, water pumps, and economic hubs. Notable successes include the restoration of power to Cornwall Regional Hospital, St Ann’s Bay Hospital, Ocho Rios Port, Dunn’s River Falls, and Sangster International Airport. Grant also highlighted creative solutions, such as rerouting power from Manchester to supply St Elizabeth. Despite challenges, JPS remains committed to transparency and aims to provide detailed restoration timelines for all affected areas by the end of the week.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned reggae artist Buju Banton has raised concerns over the theft of containers filled with relief supplies intended for victims of Hurricane Melissa at the port. In a recent Instagram post, Banton expressed his frustration, stating, ‘The things are being stolen at the very port. Look at this. Why. Why. Why.’ His message was accompanied by a photo of a half-filled barrel, illustrating the extent of the issue. Other social media users have echoed similar complaints, reporting that their barrels and containers have either gone missing or arrived partially empty. The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) had introduced the Contactless Clearance Project in 2023 to combat theft and enhance the handling of goods. This initiative mandates that customs officers wear body cameras while processing packages. Project Manager Kingsley Henry explained, ‘We are changing the process. Your shipping agent submits the documentation to Customs for duty assessment, and once you pay the customs charges, your cargo can be inspected. You can track your shipment using our website or mobile app.’ Despite these measures, attempts to obtain a comment from the JCA regarding the recent thefts were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

Jamaica’s northern and western regions, still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, may face further challenges this week as adverse weather conditions threaten to disrupt ongoing relief operations. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has forecast intermittent showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds from Tuesday through Thursday, potentially hampering recovery efforts in several parishes. Alvin Gayle, Director General of ODPEM, emphasized that even moderate rainfall could complicate relief work, particularly in northern parishes where many homes remain roofless. During a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Gayle detailed the expected weather patterns, noting that isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds would likely affect western parishes as well. In preparation, ODPEM and its partners have distributed over 80% of the 45,000 tarpaulins available on the island to provide temporary shelter. Gayle highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to address immediate shelter needs while supporting long-term recovery goals. Despite these efforts, the forecasted weather could slow progress in areas still recovering from the hurricane’s devastation.

Raheem Sterling, the Chelsea winger, and his family experienced a harrowing ordeal last weekend when burglars broke into their Berkshire residence. The incident occurred on Saturday while Sterling, his partner Paige Milian, and their children were at home. The intruders were reportedly confronted by Sterling, causing them to flee without stealing any items.

Sterling’s representative confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating, “We can confirm that Raheem Sterling was the victim of a home break-in this weekend. He and his children were present at the time. While this was a severe violation of privacy and safety, we are grateful that he and his loved ones are unharmed.” The representative also urged the public to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.

This is not the first time Sterling’s home has been targeted. In December 2022, burglars broke into his Surrey property while he was competing in the World Cup in Qatar, forcing him to return home early. During that incident, valuables worth £300,000 ($393,000) were stolen. Additionally, in 2018, thieves attempted to break into his Cheshire home but fled when the alarm system was activated.

Sterling’s recent challenges extend beyond personal security. He has yet to feature for Chelsea this season after being sidelined by manager Enzo Maresca. Following a disappointing loan spell with Arsenal last season, Sterling has been training separately from Chelsea’s first-team squad after failing to secure a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican Government has unveiled plans to provide safe and dignified temporary housing for displaced families. Information Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon announced the initiative during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasizing the urgency and humanity driving the effort. The Category 5 hurricane has left numerous families homeless, many of whom are currently housed in shelters that are far from ideal. Dr. Morris Dixon highlighted the need for facilities that respect the dignity of those affected, stating, ‘If we were in the same position, we would want a facility that honors our dignity.’

The Government is actively reviewing proposals for temporary housing units that can be swiftly deployed across the hardest-hit parishes. These units are being designed with durability and safety in mind, ensuring they can withstand future weather events. Dr. Morris Dixon noted that the solutions will not be one-size-fits-all but will cater to the diverse needs of affected families, including single individuals and large households. International support and best practices from other countries are being incorporated into the planning process.

A comprehensive damage assessment is currently underway to determine the scale of the crisis and the specific needs of those impacted. Dr. Morris Dixon assured that the Government is committed to delivering quality housing solutions, even if it means a longer timeline. ‘We don’t want to just have them feel like they’re a charity case,’ she said. ‘We’re about giving people decent houses.’ The goal is to provide semi-permanent structures that are structurally sound and capable of offering long-term shelter. While tents have been considered, the focus remains on more durable and dignified options.