标签： Jamaica

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.

ST JAMES, Jamaica – Delroy Dove, a tour guide from Johns Hall in St James, narrowly escaped death during the devastating Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that claimed two of his homes. Despite losing everything, Dove expresses gratitude for surviving the harrowing ordeal. One of the homes, a wooden three-bedroom structure, collapsed with Dove inside, leaving him with injuries to his head, back, and hand. Recounting the traumatic event, Dove described how the 185 mph winds shifted the house from its foundation, causing it to tumble downhill with him trapped inside. ‘I saw complete darkness and then light,’ he said, visibly shaken. Another caretaker, Devral, witnessed the house being lifted into the air but was unaware Dove was inside. The wooden house, which served as Dove’s temporary residence at Johns Hall Adventure Tours, was completely destroyed, along with all his belongings. Dove, now homeless after his permanent residence in Spring Mount was also destroyed, is living in an unfinished section of the property with minimal shelter. He is appealing for assistance to rebuild his life and secure a new home.

In a decisive move to restore normalcy in hurricane-ravaged communities, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has unveiled a series of measures aimed at reopening small shops and markets. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Holness emphasized the government’s commitment to transitioning from relief to recovery, ensuring that daily life and business operations resume swiftly.

PORTLAND, Jamaica — While the northeastern parish of Portland escaped the most severe impacts of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica over a week ago, local businesses are still grappling with the aftermath. Ricardo ‘Ric Boss’ Oharo, a chef at a local cookshop, shared his struggles with Observer Online during a visit by the news team on Friday. Oharo noted that business has slowed significantly since the hurricane, as many residents have been unable to work due to storm-related disruptions affecting their employers. This has led to reduced spending in the community. Additionally, Oharo highlighted the rising operational costs, particularly the increased price of fuel needed to power the shop’s generator. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that his establishment remains affordable for customers. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28 as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, caused widespread devastation across Jamaica, resulting in over 30 fatalities and leaving nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without power. Many areas in Portland remain in darkness. Oharo expressed gratitude that Portland was spared major damage this time, recalling the severe impact of Hurricane Beryl in July last year. ‘We give God thanks still,’ he said. ‘Everything is intact, giving thanks!’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of solidarity, Downsound Entertainment (DSE), renowned for organizing Reggae Sumfest and Freedom Street, collaborated with artists D’Yani, Marcy Chin, and YoungWildApache to deliver essential relief supplies to communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The initiative targeted areas severely impacted by the storm, including Santa Cruz and Middle Quarters in St. Elizabeth, as well as Dean’s Valley in Westmoreland. The relief effort aimed to provide immediate assistance to families struggling to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the disaster. The care packages distributed by the team included non-perishable food items, baby formula, diapers, bottled water, tarpaulin, comforters, and mini tents, addressing both short-term and long-term needs of those who lost homes or suffered significant property damage. Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment, emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting Jamaicans during times of crisis. “Music connects us, but community sustains us,” Bogdanovich stated. “Downsound has always believed in giving back, especially when our people are hurting. Witnessing the devastation first-hand was heart-breaking, yet it was also inspiring to see the resilience of Jamaicans. We’re proud to lend a hand and will continue supporting rebuilding efforts wherever we can.” The artists involved in the initiative shared their emotional experiences during the visit. D’Yani described the experience as heart-wrenching, expressing a newfound appreciation for life. “Seeing the devastation in person gave me a deeper sense of gratitude. The people were incredibly grateful and truly needed the help,” he said, acknowledging the efforts of DSE manager Dwight “Bub” James in coordinating the outreach. Marcy Chin found the journey eye-opening, particularly moved by the selflessness of a woman who, despite losing her own home, urged the team to assist her neighbor who had suffered a personal tragedy. YoungWildApache echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute. “Being on the ground and witnessing the impact of Hurricane Melissa first-hand was overwhelming. I’m just thankful we could bring a bit of hope to those in need,” he said. In addition to the immediate relief efforts, DSE is collaborating with key agencies to identify further ways to assist affected communities. A clean-up team has also been mobilized in St. James, underscoring Downsound Entertainment’s dedication to leveraging music and community action to uplift Jamaica.

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.