标签： Jamaica

Renowned dancehall artist Masicka has taken a proactive role in aiding communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa through his charitable organization, the MADE Foundation. The foundation has initiated the first phase of a comprehensive relief program aimed at supporting affected areas, with a particular focus on the parish of St Elizabeth. In an exclusive interview with Observer Online, Masicka emphasized the importance of community solidarity during times of crisis. “Jamaica is home. When the people are hurting, I feel that too,” he stated. “The MADE Foundation is about making a difference and showing that we care beyond the music.” Although Masicka’s immediate family was spared from the hurricane’s impact, he expressed deep concern for friends and supporters in St Elizabeth who suffered significant losses, including homes, farms, and access to basic utilities. Collaborating with local representatives, the MADE Foundation has identified urgent needs and is providing essential supplies such as food, building materials, steel, and cement. The initiative has also garnered support from Red Stripe and producer Mario Dunwell, who have joined the mission to bring aid and hope to affected communities. Masicka highlighted that this effort aligns with his long-standing commitment to philanthropy, which includes donating computers to schools, organizing back-to-school events, and supporting youth initiatives. The MADE Foundation, established to empower communities through education, mentorship, and crisis support, aims to create lasting change across Jamaica and the Caribbean. Masicka’s connection to St Elizabeth, where he performed early in his career, adds a personal dimension to the relief efforts. The foundation plans to expand its outreach to other parishes as part of an ongoing national recovery initiative.

For Junior Bowen, a 59-year-old resident of Petersfield, Westmoreland, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa transcended the ferocious 185-mile-per-hour winds. His ordeal reached its peak when his home was torn from its foundation, lifting him into the air before hurling him into nearby bushes. The Category Five hurricane struck last Tuesday afternoon, leaving Bowen battered, buried, and helpless beneath the rubble until rescuers found him.

In a swift response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, two Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) helicopters touched down at Belmont Academy in Westmoreland on Sunday morning. The mission aimed to deliver essential relief supplies to communities grappling with the aftermath of the natural disaster. As the helicopters landed, local residents gathered to witness the operation, observing JDF soldiers meticulously unloading numerous bags of aid from the aircraft. This initiative is part of a broader, coordinated effort to provide urgent assistance to those impacted by the hurricane. The JDF’s timely intervention underscores the government’s commitment to supporting affected regions and ensuring the well-being of its citizens during times of crisis.

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Dr. Dayton Campbell, Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, has issued a urgent call for his constituency to be declared a disaster area in the wake of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, a Category Five storm. The hurricane has left a trail of devastation across the region, with Westmoreland Eastern bearing the brunt of the impact. Dr. Campbell revealed that out of the 19 fatalities reported islandwide, 10 occurred in his constituency. The scale of the damage is staggering, with an estimated 1,000 homes completely obliterated, leaving residents without shelter. Many board houses have been reduced to rubble, rendering them uninhabitable. The infrastructure has also been severely compromised, with roadways blocked and residents resorting to chainsaws and machetes to create single-lane access. Communication remains limited, and critical facilities such as schools, health centers, police stations, post offices, and petrol stations have sustained significant damage. Dr. Campbell emphasized the need for immediate assistance, urging the National Works Agency (NWA) to collaborate with contractors to clear the roads swiftly. He has been in contact with the Minister of Works, who has responded positively, but communication challenges have hindered outreach to the parish manager. Dr. Campbell stressed that his appeal is not politically motivated but a genuine plea for the suffering residents. He called for the declaration of a disaster area to mobilize emergency services and provide much-needed relief. Relief distribution centers have already been established at the Whitehouse Community Centre and in Darliston, with plans to expand to additional locations to distribute food and water to affected residents.

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a profound emotional toll on first responders in Black River, St. Elizabeth, as revealed in interviews conducted on Thursday. Many of these individuals, including firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers, expressed deep psychological scars from their experiences during the storm. Despite their training to manage high-stress situations, the intensity of the hurricane overwhelmed them, leaving many visibly shaken and reluctant to speak on record. Some simply shook their heads or buried their faces in their hands, unable to articulate the trauma they endured. Among those who spoke anonymously, the word ‘traumatized’ was repeatedly used to describe their state of mind. Firefighters Francis and Roach, who requested anonymity and that their faces not be shown, recounted harrowing tales of back-to-back rescues amidst the terror of surging floodwaters and relentless winds. Their accounts paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional challenges faced by those on the front lines of disaster response. (Video: Dana Malcolm)

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on St James, Jamaica, Rainforest Caribbean has initiated a soup kitchen to provide essential support to affected residents. The facility officially commenced operations on Saturday, November 1, at Catherine Hall, located near the company’s headquarters. This initiative underscores Rainforest Caribbean’s ongoing dedication to the welfare of the Jamaican population.

Ben Jardim, Director of Rainforest Caribbean, shared insights into the project with Observer Online. He explained that the effort is starting modestly, as many team members are also grappling with the hurricane’s aftermath. The soup kitchen aims to serve communities severely impacted by the disaster, including Catherine Hall, by distributing meals throughout the week.

Jardim emphasized the company’s dual focus on organizing staff and conducting clean-up operations while maintaining their commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region. ‘We remain steadfast in our mission to feed the nation,’ he stated, highlighting the broader goal of supporting recovery efforts in the wake of the natural disaster.