标签： Jamaica

PARIS, France — World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, disclosed on Thursday that former employees had embezzled over €1.5 million ($1.7 million) in what it termed a case of ‘systematic theft.’ The organization has provided comprehensive evidence to judicial and legal authorities to facilitate a criminal investigation. The scandal led to the termination of a consultant and an employee, while another implicated staff member had already departed before the misconduct was discovered. President Sebastian Coe emphasized the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging to employ ‘the full force of the law’ to reclaim the stolen funds. Coe criticized the common practice of concealing such incidents, asserting that World Athletics prioritizes integrity and good governance, even in uncomfortable situations.

The Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, Jamaica, has sustained significant damage following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the southwest of the island before moving across its western end on Tuesday. During a visit by the Jamaica Observer, it was observed that several key sections of the hospital, including the maternity ward, dietary department, and administrative block, had their roofs severely compromised. Despite the destruction, hospital staff demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing to perform their duties, such as preparing meals and attending to patients, while also addressing the aftermath by clearing water and mopping floors in the dietary department. The nearby Hanover Health Department also suffered roof damage, further exacerbating the crisis. The hurricane’s wrath extended beyond healthcare facilities, causing widespread infrastructural devastation across the parish. Numerous buildings lost their roofs entirely or partially, while fallen trees and power lines obstructed several roads. Communication networks were severely disrupted, leaving many residents unable to make calls or access the internet. Some individuals reportedly traveled to Montego Bay to use their mobile phones for communication. Additionally, downed utility poles led to widespread electricity outages, and a section of the Sandy Bay Main Road sea wall collapsed, causing the sidewalk to cave in. The community of Hanover now faces the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of this natural disaster.

As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Mystic Thai, a local restaurant, joined forces with the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute meals to homes, shelters, and community centers across the island. The collaboration began well before the storm’s landfall, ensuring that hot meals would be available immediately after the hurricane passed. By October 28, the teams had already delivered meals to four locations, including the National Arena, a day prior to the storm’s arrival. The final batch of meals was distributed early on Tuesday, October 28. WCK emphasized its coordination with local restaurant partners to guarantee meal availability post-hurricane. Mystic Thai’s team worked tirelessly, preparing comforting dishes like chicken curry with rice and salad, which were staged for delivery even as storm shutters were being installed. The restaurant’s directors expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its role in serving vulnerable populations, particularly families in shelters and those displaced by the storm. The joint effort leveraged Mystic Thai’s kitchen and staff alongside WCK’s logistical expertise. As relief operations intensify, Mystic Thai and WCK will continue assessing food needs in affected communities, replenishing kitchens, and adapting meal distribution routes if roads or power are disrupted. This initiative reflects the broader spirit of community resilience in Jamaica, where local businesses and international organizations work together to ensure no one goes without a hot meal during recovery. The effort has garnered recognition, with chefs like James Beard award-winner Andrew Black and Roger Mooking expressing support. Those wishing to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery can do so via supportjamaica.gov.jm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized its disaster response teams and essential supplies to assist the island nation. The hurricane, one of the most powerful in recorded history, struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching 185 miles per hour. Although it weakened to a Category 3 hurricane by the time it exited Jamaica’s northern coast and moved toward Cuba, the devastation left behind is immense.

Samaritan’s Purse has announced plans to airlift critical relief supplies from its headquarters in North Carolina to Jamaica. The aid package includes community water systems, shelter materials, solar lights, and medical equipment, all aimed at addressing the urgent needs of affected communities. Damion Tripp, the organization’s Medical Operations Manager, emphasized their preparedness in a recent Instagram post, stating, ‘We are loading a lot of tarp, non-food items to help the people of the area. We are also preparing supplies for our airlift programme. We ask that you pray for the people of Jamaica, their safety, health, and wellbeing.’

This initiative is part of Samaritan’s Purse’s ongoing commitment to disaster relief in the Caribbean. The organization has previously provided aid in The Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian and in Haiti after major earthquakes, demonstrating its capacity to respond swiftly to crises in the region. As Jamaica begins its recovery process, the support from Samaritan’s Purse is expected to play a vital role in rebuilding and restoring normalcy for those affected by the storm.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Andrea Purkiss, Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, has issued an urgent appeal for assistance to support residents in her constituency who have suffered extensive damage. Speaking on Thursday, Purkiss described the widespread devastation across Eastern Hanover, with numerous homes destroyed, roofs torn off, and entire communities left isolated.

Residents of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland, severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, are set to receive critical relief through the efforts of the Forbes Family Foundation, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. Founded by Dr. Ariel Forbes, a Jamaican-born oral surgeon, the foundation has outlined a comprehensive two-phase plan to aid recovery in the impacted regions. The first phase focuses on immediate support, including the distribution of essential supplies such as water, canned goods, generators, solar power banks, clothing, and cleaning materials. The second phase will address long-term recovery, providing construction materials like drywall, cement, tiles, and power tools to rebuild damaged homes. Dr. Forbes emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that food tents will be established in Black River, St Elizabeth, and either Darliston or Whitehouse, Westmoreland, to serve hot meals to those in need. Despite initial flight cancellations, Dr. Forbes is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on November 12, with supplies already en route via sea freight. The foundation is seeking logistical support to transport these items from Kingston to the affected parishes. Motivated by her Jamaican heritage and personal ties to the region, Dr. Forbes expressed her commitment to helping communities recover from the devastation. The Forbes Family Foundation has also launched a fundraiser to support these relief efforts, underscoring their dedication to rebuilding lives and restoring hope in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

In a compassionate response to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Optimum Jamaica has announced a significant initiative to support the Jamaican community. From now until November 30, 2025, Optimum Phone and Optimum Mobile customers in the United States can make free calls and send texts to Jamaica. This effort aims to bridge the emotional and physical distance between families and friends during the island’s recovery process.

Leon Davis, Senior Director and Site General Manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering connections beyond technology. ‘We recognize the emotional strain of being separated from loved ones in times of crisis,’ Davis stated. ‘Our goal is to bring families closer, even across vast distances, by removing communication barriers.’

This initiative is part of Optimum’s broader strategy to enhance community resilience and recovery. By providing free communication services, the company hopes to facilitate emotional support, updates, and reassurance among Jamaicans in the diaspora and their families back home.

Jevaughn Gordon, Communications Manager, highlighted the symbolic importance of the gesture. ‘Optimum stands with Jamaica during this challenging period. We believe that staying connected is a vital part of the healing process,’ Gordon remarked.

In addition to this public offering, Optimum has been actively supporting its internal workforce through welfare checks and communication assistance, ensuring that employees are also cared for during this time. The company’s efforts underscore its dedication to both technological and human connections in the face of adversity.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a remarkable display of community solidarity, the beloved local eatery Chicken and Tings has joined forces with the global humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) to deliver thousands of hot meals to residents of Kingston and St Andrew devastated by Hurricane Melissa. This unprecedented storm, one of the most severe in Jamaica’s history, has left countless families in dire need of assistance.