标签： Jamaica

In a remarkable display of solidarity and innovation, a coalition of compassionate individuals and businesses, alongside TheHiveCareers, has successfully raised $2.7 million to aid urgent hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has pledged to match this amount, effectively doubling the total relief funds to approximately $5.4 million. This collaboration leverages TheHiveCareers’ digital platform and talent network to orchestrate a technology-driven response, mobilizing skilled volunteers, contractors, and essential services for communities devastated by the recent hurricane. Melarka Williams, founder and CEO of TheHiveCareers, emphasized the power of combining technology with compassion, stating, ‘This initiative shows what’s possible when technology meets compassion.’ The initial funds will be allocated to emergency relief supplies such as food, clean water, temporary shelter, and restoration materials. AFJ’s matching contribution will significantly expand the initiative’s reach, ensuring resources are doubled and impact is deepened across affected parishes. TheHiveCareers’ platform will act as a national coordination hub, facilitating the registration and deployment of skilled volunteers, matching requests for help with available resources, and providing real-time dashboards for transparency and communication. Caron Chung, executive director of AFJ, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that many communities will struggle to rebuild without aid, as schools, houses, and churches have been completely destroyed. The fundraising efforts continue, driven by the dire need for recovery and restoration in these devastated areas.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant portion of Liguanea Avenue in Kingston is scheduled for a temporary closure as part of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts under the National Works Agency’s (NWA) SPARK Programme. The closure, spanning from Paddington Terrace to Barbican Road, will commence on Monday, November 17, and last for 14 days. This initiative is a critical component of the NWA’s broader strategy to enhance road infrastructure in the Corporate Area. Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, emphasized that the rehabilitation works involve strengthening the road base, resurfacing, and implementing additional infrastructure improvements. Shaw highlighted that these temporary closures are essential to ensure the safety of both workers and commuters while minimizing disruptions in the active work zone. During the closure, only residents will have access to the affected section of Liguanea Avenue. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes, with those traveling from Barbican Road directed to use Paddington Terrace to access Liguanea Avenue. Similarly, motorists coming from Hope Road are encouraged to utilize Paddington Terrace to reach their destinations. The NWA urges all road users to adhere to posted signs and exercise caution when navigating the area.

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Johnson’s Petroleum has announced the deployment of 10 mobile gas stations to provide critical fuel relief to affected parishes in Jamaica. The initiative was highlighted during a visit by Minister of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz to the company’s headquarters in Kingston on Wednesday. These mobile units, designed as self-contained portable fueling systems, integrate fuel storage, pumps, and safety features into a single movable structure, ensuring access to fuel in areas lacking traditional gas stations. Each unit comprises three independent 1500-litre compartments capable of dispensing three different fuel types. Additionally, the stations are equipped with advanced features such as a meter system for tracking litres, sales, and pricing; an emergency stop button; and solar-powered capabilities. Minister Vaz praised the initiative, emphasizing its role in supporting communities during the recovery phase. He urged the company to prioritize the five most affected parishes in western Jamaica and collaborate with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to identify areas with the greatest need. The mobile stations will also benefit the fisheries sector, targeting fishing villages in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Phillip Calder, General Manager of Johnson’s Petroleum, confirmed that the units meet all safety and regulatory standards. He noted that the company had already been developing a strategy to enhance fuel access in underserved rural communities, and the hurricane accelerated these plans. Calder revealed that areas in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, and Trelawny have been identified for deployment, with further units planned for islandwide coverage. The mobile stations will be serviced by smaller trucks, ensuring access to remote areas inaccessible to traditional fuel trucks.

Gassan Azan Sr, a prominent Jamaican industrialist and distinguished Freemason, passed away on Friday afternoon at the age of 86 after battling a prolonged illness. Azan Sr was a key figure in Jamaica’s manufacturing sector during the 1970s and 1980s, owning and operating several notable companies, including Tiny Town Manufacturing, Cradle Craft Manufacturing, and Kandy Kane Manufacturing. Beyond his industrial achievements, he was also a dedicated coffee farmer and an active member of the Freemasons. Azan Sr was the father of Gassan Azan Jr, a renowned business magnate and the founder, chairman, and CEO of Bashco Trading Company Limited and its parent company, MegaMart Wholesale Club. His legacy as a pioneer in Jamaican industry and his contributions to agriculture and community organizations leave a lasting impact on the nation.

Residents of Wakefield district in Trelawny, Jamaica, are facing severe isolation and hardship after heavy rains exacerbated the flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa. The community, already grappling with the aftermath of the hurricane, now finds itself nearly cut off from the outside world. Three main entrances are impassable for most vehicles, leaving residents reliant on large vans that charge exorbitant fees for transportation. Sharon Morris, a local resident, lamented the dire situation, stating that food supplies are scarce and shared among neighbors. Fayon Ellis, another resident, described how the flooding has trapped them, making it impossible to travel to nearby towns like Falmouth or Montego Bay. The Observer team, which visited the area, had to navigate makeshift routes to access the community, encountering significant flooding along the way. Leonie Clarke and her son Rodwayne highlighted the longstanding drainage issues that have worsened the flooding, with water unable to escape due to poorly designed infrastructure. While some residents use a makeshift bridge to move within the community, the roads ahead remain blocked. Rodwayne emphasized that the problem could be resolved with proper drainage work before the next rainy season. The lack of clean water has become a pressing concern, with residents fearing the health risks posed by contaminated water and the inability to access medical help in emergencies. Mae Allen expressed her desperation, suggesting that only a helicopter could rescue them. Despite relief efforts by organizations like World Central Kitchen and The Jamaica Guangdomg Association, essential supplies had not reached Wakefield by the time the Observer team departed.