标签： Jamaica

In a rare display of unity, Jamaica’s Government and Opposition have joined forces to address the reopening of schools following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon and Opposition Spokesperson Damion Crawford issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of resuming education safely and swiftly, while prioritizing the well-being of students, educators, and staff. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica last week, has left significant challenges in its wake, including infrastructure damage and emotional trauma. Both leaders stressed the need for a phased, school-led reopening process, guided by thorough assessments of infrastructure, access, and overall readiness. They also highlighted the critical role of expanding psychosocial support to help those affected cope with the aftermath. Minister Morris Dixon underscored the importance of balancing safety with the right to education, stating, “Safety is non-negotiable, but so is our children’s right to learn.” Crawford echoed this sentiment, calling for unity and a focus on minimizing further learning loss. The Ministry of Education has pledged to continue providing counselling services and support to those in need, urging anyone experiencing distress to seek assistance through their school or regional office. Both leaders expressed gratitude to school boards, principals, teachers, and parents for their dedication during this challenging period.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on western Jamaica, a coalition of organizations and individuals has stepped forward to provide much-needed relief to the affected communities. The Aubyn Foundation, Ramsay’s Help Desk, former Miss Universe Jamaica Rachel Silveria, Changan Jamaica, and other supporters joined forces to deliver essential supplies to the residents of Westmoreland. On November 1, the team visited Bethel Town, one of the areas hardest hit by the Category Five hurricane, to distribute food, clothing, and other necessities. Aubyn Henry, chairman of the Aubyn Foundation, highlighted the importance of firsthand assessment and community solidarity during such crises. ‘We brought essentials to help families begin rebuilding their homes and lives. Around 120 community members received support, offering some relief during this challenging time,’ Henry stated. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to sustainable development and ongoing support for those in need. Henry also extended a message of encouragement to all Jamaicans, praising their resilience and courage. ‘To all Jamaicans, we feel with you and we stand with you. Your resilience and courage inspire us every day. Together, we will rebuild our communities, restore hope, and come out stronger than ever,’ he said.

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.