标签： Jamaica

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association of Jamaica (TOBA) has announced the rescheduling of its annual Mixed Sale to December 7, following the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Melissa. Originally slated for November 23, the event was postponed to allow consignors sufficient time to rehabilitate horses potentially impacted by the storm. The new date was strategically chosen to coincide with the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile, scheduled for December 6, ensuring optimal preparation and participation. Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, inflicted severe damage on the island’s breeding sector. Notable among the affected were Orange Valley Estates Limited in Trelawny, owned by TOBA director Alec Henderson and his wife Jacqui, and YS Farm in St Elizabeth, managed by Dawn Browne. Both farms suffered extensive destruction, particularly in the western regions of the island, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s force. The resilience of the industry is evident, as evidenced by the 2022 sale of Lot #104, a two-year-old filly by Soul Warrior – Lady Belridge, which fetched $2.1 million.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant humanitarian effort, ISRATECH Jamaica, in partnership with the global non-profit Planet Water Foundation, has introduced six advanced AquaBlock emergency water filtration systems to aid communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. These critical systems, capable of producing up to 57,600 gallons of potable water daily, were transported from Phoenix, Arizona, to Kingston, Jamaica, aboard a Boeing 737 humanitarian relief flight. This marks the largest single aid flight to Jamaica since the hurricane struck. The systems will be accessible to the public, addressing one of the most pressing needs in the recovery process. Benjamin Hodara, CEO of ISRATECH, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, ‘Each AquaBlock system embodies innovation and hope, designed for rapid deployment and long-term impact, supported by our technical expertise on the ground.’ The systems arrived at Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday, where they will be installed and maintained by a joint technical team from Planet Water Foundation and ISRATECH Jamaica, in coordination with local disaster response agencies. Mark Steele, founder and CEO of Planet Water Foundation, expressed his commitment to the cause, noting, ‘Each system can provide safe water for up to 6,000 people, and we are dedicated to delivering them swiftly to the most affected communities.’ This initiative is funded by Planet Water Foundation’s corporate partners, underscoring the collaborative effort to restore essential water infrastructure in high-impact areas identified by national disaster response teams.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sherine Scarlett, a former dancer turned entrepreneur widely recognized as Sher Luxury Doll, is spearheading a crucial relief initiative for communities ravaged by Category Five Hurricane Melissa. Through her business, Sher Luxury Beauty, and with the aid of her supporters, Scarlett and her team have successfully delivered 500 care packages to families in the Westmoreland communities of Petersfield, Bluefields, and Savanna-la-Mar, as well as St Elizabeth.

In an interview with Observer Online on Friday, Scarlett expressed her deep empathy for those affected. ‘I hate to see kids crying and people crying, and I know that I can help,’ she said. She emphasized that her efforts are driven purely by personal philanthropy rather than organizational backing. ‘It’s not no bag of money, it’s just the goodness of my heart make mi a try fi help out because, trust me, the people need the help,’ she added.

Scarlett highlighted the unwavering support she has received from Jamaicans over the years, which motivates her to give back. ‘People support me naturally long before mi did stop dance… So for me, the support that they always giving me, and even now with my products— I ship products daily straight throughout Jamaica— so if I can give back from what they have given me, I have no problem doing that,’ she shared.

Her team is making a concerted effort to reach the most severely impacted areas, often venturing into remote and hard-to-access locations that larger relief vehicles cannot navigate. ‘Where we go, people say it’s the first they see people there. We’re going in the… crevices where we know them nah go get fi go…We’re using bus and cars and vans and we try to go in some areas that most persons are not gonna think to go to help. I would love to go back and try to go to more and more of those communities to help,’ Scarlett explained.

To sustain and expand her relief efforts, Scarlett is appealing for additional donations of food, water, sanitary products, clothing, blankets, tarpaulin, or cash. Interested donors can find more details on her Instagram pages, @sherluxurydolll or @sherluxurybeautybar, or contact her via WhatsApp at (876)-420-6016.

Scarlett’s hands-on approach has already made a significant impact, as she personally distributed essential supplies to children and families affected by the hurricane. Her dedication to helping those in need underscores the power of community-driven initiatives in times of crisis.

In a remarkable act of generosity, renowned horse racing trainer Peter-John Parsard has pledged to donate all his earnings from November to the hurricane relief fund, aiding victims of the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica last week, unleashed sustained winds of over 185 miles per hour, torrential rains, and widespread devastation, particularly in the western parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James. Thousands of families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and infrastructure severely damaged.

Parsard expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, ‘The destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa is heartbreaking. Entire communities have been reduced to rubble, and the suffering of many Jamaicans is unimaginable. I may be just one person, but I believe in the power of collective action. If my earnings can provide even a small measure of relief to affected families, it’s worth every cent. This is not just charity—it’s a duty to stand with our people in their time of need.’

The Jamaican Government has launched an emergency relief fund to address the urgent needs of over 400,000 affected residents. The Support Jamaica Disaster Relief portal has outlined critical requirements, including clean water, non-perishable food, hygiene kits, and temporary shelter materials. Parsard has also appealed to the Jamaican Diaspora worldwide, urging them to contribute to the relief efforts. ‘Whether you’re in New York, London, Toronto, or Tokyo—if you carry Jamaica in your heart, now is the time to act. We’ve survived hurricanes like Charlie, Gilbert, and Ivan. We will survive Melissa, too, but only if we stand together,’ he emphasized.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has lauded court staff and managers across multiple parishes for their unwavering dedication and resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which caused extensive damage to judicial facilities. During his visits to the Santa Cruz courthouse in St Elizabeth and other severely affected areas, including St James, Trelawny, and Hanover, Justice Sykes expressed his admiration for the commitment of court personnel who continue to report for duty despite personal hardships. He described the scenes of devastation as ‘distressing’ but emphasized the inspiring leadership and proactive efforts of senior judges and court operations managers. ‘What I am particularly pleased about is that in all the parishes, the senior judges and court operations managers have stepped up as leaders, which is what we expect of them,’ he remarked. ‘They have been strategizing on how to restore services, highlighting the importance of planning and risk mitigation.’ In parishes like Hanover and St James, staff have been actively cleaning up and preparing to reopen facilities. However, in St Elizabeth, the destruction was so severe that ‘there’s nowhere to clean up,’ Sykes noted. Despite losing homes and roofs, many staff members remain committed to their duties. Sykes called for collaboration among stakeholders to support the recovery of the justice system. His visits underscored the critical need for leadership training and disaster preparedness within the judiciary, as staff continue to demonstrate courage and service under challenging conditions. Justice Sykes is scheduled to visit the Westmoreland Parish Court next.

As Hurricane Melissa’s fierce winds finally abated, seasoned horse trainer Linton Calder felt a wave of relief. His stables had endured the storm with minimal harm, ensuring the safety of his prized horses. However, Calder’s office, a space long in need of repairs, was not as fortunate. The hurricane only exacerbated existing issues, leaving the facility in dire need of urgent attention.