标签： Jamaica

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – In a significant post-hurricane recovery initiative, Couples Resorts has launched a comprehensive rebuilding program for employees affected by Hurricane Melissa. Through its philanthropic arm, the Issa Trust Foundation, the resort group welcomed its first volunteer construction team on December 1, shortly after reopening to guests.

The volunteer mission, spearheaded by Wisconsin-based contractor Dirk Bartolazzi of Bartolazzi Homes, dedicated the past week to reconstructing and repairing homes of severely impacted staff members from both Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away resorts in Westmoreland. Beyond immediate construction work, the program includes distributing essential building supplies to affected team members, with plans for the volunteer team to return in the new year to continue reconstruction efforts.

Paul Issa, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, explained the strategic shift in focus: “While our foundation has historically concentrated on pediatric health care, we made a decisive pivot following Hurricane Melissa to address the urgent housing needs of our Couples Resorts staff. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our loyal repeat guests and various donors, we are actively executing this mission.”

Bartolazzi emphasized the urgency of their mission: “When families lose their homes, time becomes critical. Our objectives were straightforward: act swiftly, maintain safety protocols, and restore homes that families can truly call their own. Witnessing the immediate transformation and the restoration of hope is precisely what motivates our work.”

The hurricane response included extensive relief measures beyond reconstruction. Couples Resorts mobilized immediate support through care packages containing food, water, batteries, and other essentials, provided temporary housing for over 100 displaced employees, and continued wage payments throughout the recovery period.

A transparent disaster relief fund, established with contributions from dedicated resort guests, friends, and partners, has distributed approximately US$455,000 in financial assistance based on damage assessments. This total includes a substantial US$100,000 contribution from Couples Resorts itself.

The rebuilding process has received personal attention from leadership, with Couples Resorts Chairman Lee Issa and his brother Paul, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, personally visiting reconstruction sites in Westmoreland to monitor progress and support affected staff.

The Jamaican government has initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for its hurricane-battered fisheries sector, combining immediate emergency aid with strategic long-term investments. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green unveiled the multi-faceted approach during a Jamaica Observer Press Club meeting, detailing both current relief distributions and future reconstruction plans.

Immediate response efforts have already delivered critical supplies to fishing communities across multiple parishes including Portland, St Mary, and St Thomas. The government has allocated approximately $30 million Jamaican dollars worth of wiring materials to repair damaged fishing equipment alongside providing generators to fuel stations, enabling fishers to resume operations more quickly.

The catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, has been quantified through preliminary assessments by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). CEO Dr. Gavin Bellamy reported billions of dollars in losses across fishing communities, aquaculture enterprises, and essential infrastructure. Particularly devastating was the damage in southwestern regions, where some communities experienced complete destruction of fishing vessels alongside severe losses of engines, gear storage facilities, and processing sites.

Minister Green emphasized the priority of redistributing boats and engines, particularly through a youth-focused program targeting fishers under 35 years old. The existing boat and engine program, which began before the hurricane, will continue with approximately 14 additional boats scheduled for distribution alongside engine replacement grants.

The recovery strategy extends beyond equipment replacement to include significant infrastructure rebuilding. Green announced plans for beach reconstruction and the development of enhanced regional hubs, citing Black River in St. Elizabeth as one location where destroyed fuel stations and offices will be rebuilt to higher standards.

Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is underway to direct loss and damage funds specifically toward fisheries recovery. The minister highlighted the importance of maintaining strategic reserves of emergency supplies for future crises, noting that rapid response capability is crucial for the fishing and farming sectors where operational delays directly translate to financial losses.

The government’s approach prioritizes building back with improved resilience rather than implementing temporary fixes, aiming to create a more robust foundation for Jamaica’s fishing communities whose livelihoods were severely disrupted by the natural disaster.

BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — In a significant milestone for hurricane recovery efforts, Black River Safari Tours prepares to reopen today despite sustaining extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage in late October. The Category 5 storm brought catastrophic winds, torrential rains, and unprecedented storm surges that crippled infrastructure throughout this heritage-rich Jamaican town.

Managing Director Joseph Ryan Swaby, a second-generation safari operator, confirmed the partial reopening while acknowledging the substantial challenges that remain. His operation symbolizes the determined spirit of local businesses fighting to restore normalcy after the natural disaster. “The rebirth of Black River will mainly be driven by the reopening of businesses,” Swaby emphasized, noting that meaningful employment remains crucial for community recovery beyond external aid.

The safari will operate at reduced capacity with only two of its six tour boats currently operational after extensive cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Significant flooding damage has temporarily closed the crocodile nursery facility, though wildlife monitoring indicates displaced crocodiles are gradually returning to their natural habitats along the Black River and its tributaries.

Staffing reductions reflect the scaled-back operations, with employment dropping from 13 to approximately 6-8 employees, many of whom suffered personal property damage during the storm. Remarkably, no staff members sustained injuries despite several complete home losses.

Meanwhile, on the opposite riverbank, St Elizabeth Safari Crocodile Tour remains closed indefinitely after losing six of seven boats to the hurricane’s 13-foot storm surge. Proprietor Dr. Donovan Bennett described the challenging recovery process, with damaged vessels scattered throughout wetlands requiring specialized equipment for retrieval. Bennett estimates replacement costs for engines alone could reach $20 million Jamaican dollars.

Both operators acknowledge January as a potential timeline for fuller restoration, with Bennett advocating for government-led redevelopment that reimagines Black River’s infrastructure with improved resilience and visitor amenities. “In every disaster there is an opportunity,” Bennett noted, expressing hope that reconstruction would create “a town that is more attractive than it has been, that will be friendlier to visitors.”

A Jamaican law enforcement officer from the May Pen Police Station is facing serious disciplinary proceedings following an unauthorized operation of a police vehicle that resulted in a dramatic early-morning collision. The incident, which occurred in Clarendon, has raised questions about protocol adherence within the force.

Investigations reveal the constable, who lacked proper driving credentials, appropriated the service vehicle without obtaining mandatory authorization from the assigned officer. The illicit joyride commenced in the pre-dawn hours Thursday, shortly after 3:00 AM local time.

According to preliminary reports, the officer lost control of the vehicle while navigating a section of road in May Pen. The subsequent collision with a roadside wall propelled the car into a gully, where it overturned. While no injuries were reported in the single-vehicle accident, the police cruiser sustained extensive damage in the crash.

The incident has prompted internal reviews regarding vehicle management protocols and officer compliance with regulations. Police authorities have confirmed the constable is currently undergoing intensive questioning as part of standard investigative procedures following misuse of departmental resources.