标签： Jamaica

The highly anticipated Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF), originally slated for November 13–16, has been postponed in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s widespread destruction across parts of the island. The festival, which was set to mark its 11th anniversary with the theme ‘Jamaican Food Reimagined,’ will now take a backseat as the nation prioritizes recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has unveiled its phased reopening plan for its Jamaican properties following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The luxury resort chain confirmed that its Ocho Rios and Negril locations will resume operations on December 6, 2025, allowing team members ample time to recover and support their families and communities. SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart praised the resilience of the staff, stating, ‘Our team members have shown extraordinary commitment, and their spirit is indomitable. We are dedicated to helping those affected by the storm rebuild stronger.’ The decision follows a thorough assessment of all eight resorts across Jamaica, with Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Negril, and Beaches Negril set to reopen fully restored. Meanwhile, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals South Coast will undergo extended improvements and are scheduled to welcome guests on May 30, 2026. Stewart, who also serves on Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force, emphasized the critical role of tourism in the island’s recovery. ‘Tourism is vital to Jamaica’s national recovery. Guests can support the region by returning to the island they love,’ he said. Additionally, the Sandals Foundation, SRI’s philanthropic arm, is spearheading relief efforts to aid affected communities through education, development, and environmental initiatives, ensuring 100% of donations go directly to rebuilding efforts.

South Florida, home to one of the largest Jamaican Diaspora communities, has initiated a significant relief campaign to aid thousands affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28. The effort is spearheaded by Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, with support from regional civic leaders and organizations. Key contributors include the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Food For The Poor, American Friends of Jamaica, Miami Foundation, World Central Kitchens, and Samaritan Purse. Mair highlighted the enthusiastic response from the South Florida community, with hundreds of volunteers assisting in packing relief supplies even before the hurricane made landfall. The first shipment arrived in Kingston on October 30. The Consul General’s office collaborated with South Florida Caribbean Strong, an organization active in disaster relief since Hurricane Maria in 2017. Marlon Hill, a senior member of the group, emphasized the swift collection of essential items like water, hygiene products, and non-perishable foods, supported by donations from individuals, corporations, and non-profits, including a $1 million contribution from the Miami Heat and Carnival Cruise Line. In Miramar, City Commissioner Eddy Edwards designated fire stations as drop-off points for donations, while the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival partnered with SSMC Xpress and Connex to collect non-perishable food. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, caused 32 fatalities and extensive damage across multiple parishes, including St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St James, as well as commercial hubs like Santa Cruz, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar, and Montego Bay.

BRASILIA, Brazil — Muhammad Ibrahim, the newly elected Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), has outlined his vision for the next five years, emphasizing the integration of science, technology, and innovation to address the pressing challenges faced by farmers and nations across the Americas. Elected with an overwhelming majority by the ministers of agriculture attending the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) meeting in Brasilia, Ibrahim, a seasoned Guyanese agronomist with 35 years of international management experience, will officially assume his role on January 15, 2026, succeeding Argentinian Manuel Otero.

In his acceptance speech, Ibrahim expressed his gratitude and commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity across all regions of the hemisphere. He highlighted the critical juncture at which IICA finds itself, grappling with fragmented agrifood systems, agricultural trade complexities, rising food demand, environmental threats, and the vulnerability of family farming sectors. ‘IICA is well-positioned to collaborate with its partners and member states to transform agriculture into a driving force for prosperity,’ he asserted.

Ibrahim’s strategy includes bolstering IICA’s technical capacities in science, technology, and innovation, leveraging modern tools to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. He stressed the importance of fostering investments to modernize agrifood systems and improve the economic viability of small-scale farmers. With a robust academic background, including an MSc from CATIE in Costa Rica and a PhD from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Ibrahim brings a wealth of expertise in forging partnerships and mobilizing resources to drive impactful change.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s widespread devastation, the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) has called for a unified national recovery strategy to assist its nearly 700 members and the broader small business community. Representing over 400,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the SBAJ emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder committee to streamline relief efforts and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation into the tragic death of Victoria Brown Hanley, a 20-year-old student at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. The young woman was found deceased in her dormitory room on October 16, with an autopsy confirming strangulation as the cause of death. Police are currently awaiting toxicology reports, which are expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise. According to initial reports, Brown Hanley was alone in her room on the fourth floor of George Alleyne Hall after her roommate departed shortly after 1:00 am. Upon returning around 6:00 am, the roommate discovered Brown Hanley lying face-down with a scarf tightly wound around her neck. The roommate immediately removed the scarf and alerted campus security. Officers from the Mona Police Post responded to the scene and confirmed the student’s death. Brown Hanley, who hailed from Mandeville, Manchester, is remembered as a bright and promising individual, leaving the university community in shock and mourning.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, residents of Lime Tree Ground in St Catherine, Jamaica, took to the streets in a fiery protest over the prolonged lack of electricity. Over a week since the Category 5 storm ravaged the island, the community remains in darkness, while neighboring areas have seen their power restored. Frustrated locals blocked a roadway with debris and set it ablaze, voicing their anger and desperation. One resident expressed their frustration, stating, ‘They came yesterday promising to fix the light post, but nothing happened. Now they’re saying it could take three months before we get power.’ Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica last Tuesday with winds of 185 mph and torrential rains, claimed over 30 lives and left nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without electricity. The JPS reported significant damage to its transmission and distribution networks. Despite progress in restoring power to areas like Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, Portmore, and parts of St Catherine, JPS CEO Hugh Grant acknowledged that several areas, including Spanish Town, Guys Hill, Bog Walk, and Central Village, remain without power. The company is working around the clock to restore electricity within the next two weeks.