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, which devastated parts of Jamaica on October 28, 2025, survivors like Maxine Campbell are grappling with more than just physical destruction. Campbell, a poultry farmer from Retrieve, Hanover, expressed profound distress over the lack of emotional support from relief agencies. While grateful for the food and supplies provided, she emphasized that what survivors truly need is empathy and a simple question: ‘Are you okay?’

Campbell recounted her harrowing experience during the hurricane, which destroyed her chicken coop and left her elderly mother injured. She described the ongoing mental toll, reliving the sounds of the storm and the screams of her mother. ‘It’s not about flour, sugar, and rice,’ she said. ‘We are damaged mentally.’

Her plea for compassion resonated with others in her community, particularly elderly residents who struggled to access aid due to logistical challenges. Campbell highlighted the plight of her neighbor, a senior citizen tirelessly working to rebuild her home. ‘We have to help her,’ she said, ‘but the relief agencies don’t seem to care.’

Campbell’s frustration was echoed by Benton Richards, an elderly man who had not received a care package because he was instructed to travel to a distant distribution center. ‘They should have just issued what they could here,’ he reasoned. Marlene Patterson, another resident, criticized the inefficiency of the relief distribution, arguing that aid should have been dropped off along the way.

Despite the challenges, Campbell found solace in the kindness of a Jamaica Defence Force soldier who visited her twice. ‘They need to do more of that,’ she said, urging relief workers to show love and encouragement to those affected. ‘Sugar, flour, and rice can’t help us heal. It will take time and encouragement to keep us going.’

As Campbell and her neighbors continue to rebuild their lives, their story underscores the critical need for holistic disaster response—one that addresses both material and emotional needs.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant move to aid communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa, Sagicor Group Jamaica, through its philanthropic arm, the Sagicor Foundation, has pledged approximately J$200 million in relief funding. This comprehensive support package includes J$40 million allocated specifically for Sagicor employees affected by the storm. To date, 224 employees residing in the hardest-hit parishes have been identified for targeted assistance. As part of its immediate response, the company has distributed “family boxes” to over 670 individuals, including team members and their families, across 48 communities in five parishes. Volunteers from Sagicor’s subsidiaries were mobilized to assist with the packaging and distribution of these essential supplies. Additionally, the company is offering grants for immediate needs and interest-free loans to support long-term rebuilding efforts for affected employees. These local initiatives are bolstered by Sagicor Financial Company (SFC), the group’s parent company, which has pledged matching donations from employees in other Sagicor territories to aid long-term recovery. Sagicor is also exploring further ways to assist clients severely impacted by the hurricane, helping them regain stability and normalcy during this challenging period. Christopher Zacca, President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica and Chairman of the Sagicor Foundation, personally visited Black River, St Elizabeth, to oversee relief distribution and assess the damage. “The devastation in Black River is heartbreaking, and we are committed to supporting our team members, clients, and the broader community in rebuilding their lives,” Zacca stated. He emphasized Sagicor’s long-standing commitment to Jamaica, reaffirming the company’s dedication to recovery efforts. The Sagicor Foundation will continue to coordinate relief initiatives as recovery progresses across the island.

Residents of St James, Jamaica, were left in a state of alarm on Friday afternoon as powerful winds swept through several communities, evoking memories of past severe weather events. South St James bore the brunt of the phenomenon, with locals describing the experience as both sudden and unsettling. Marcia Anderson, a resident of the Tangle River community, recounted the moment the winds began to howl. “We saw trees and bamboo swaying violently, and leaves flying everywhere, but it stopped shortly after,” she told Observer Online. Anderson also noted the eerie change in the atmosphere, saying, “The place turned white as if heavy rain was imminent, but it never came.” Her concerns were heightened by a call from a relative overseas who had warned of a potential weather system that might impact the region. “I thought this was it,” she admitted, though the winds subsided quickly. Another resident from the Meadows of Irwin community, who chose to remain anonymous, described the event as deeply traumatic. “I nearly had a panic attack,” she said, drawing parallels to the destructive Hurricane Melissa. She reported sustained showers accompanying the winds, which soaked her patio and caused water to seep through her bedroom window. “It felt like it lasted 20 minutes,” she added, emphasizing the intensity of the experience. While the winds eventually died down, the incident left many residents on edge, reminding them of the vulnerability of their communities to sudden weather changes.