标签： Jamaica

Romario ‘ZJ Romzii’ Clarke, alongside a coalition of entertainment industry figures, is leading the ‘Rhythm + Relief’ initiative to support residents in southwest Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on Tuesday, has left a trail of destruction across parishes such as St Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland, and St James, displacing numerous residents and severely damaging critical infrastructure, including hospitals. The death toll has risen to 19.

On Friday, October 31, ZJ Romzii and his team will gather essential supplies, including hygiene products, personal care items, and emergency utilities, at the Devon House Courtyard in St Andrew from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am. The initiative has garnered support from prominent DJs like DJ Mac, DJ Insaneo, Cyclone, and 1 Jav, as well as small business owners and promoters such as Sheyenne Leslie, Jamaul Hall, Timothy South, and Nachel Kirkland.

ZJ Romzii emphasized that the initiative has no fixed donation target, aiming instead to maximize assistance for affected communities. Priority areas include Black River, Treasure Beach, Savanna-la-Mar, and Montego Bay. He highlighted the importance of leveraging the entertainment industry’s influence and resources to aid those in need, stating, ‘It’s a human thing to do. If we are in a position to offer assistance, we should jump at the chance.’

The DJ also called on the broader community to unite in this time of crisis, urging, ‘We are one country, one tribe, one community. Now is the time to act and support our fellow brothers and sisters.’ The ‘Rhythm + Relief’ initiative underscores the power of collective action in addressing the aftermath of natural disasters.

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been tasked with escorting fuel tankers into the most severely affected parishes. This critical measure aims to facilitate the recovery of communities by ensuring uninterrupted fuel distribution. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced during a media briefing that Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery, commenced loading tankers for islandwide delivery at 6:00 AM on Friday. Vaz emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that fuel supplies in some areas, particularly in the western part of the island, are critically low or depleted. To address this, he convened a meeting with marketing companies and fuel suppliers at 11:30 AM on Friday to coordinate efforts through the National Works Agency and the police. The focus is on delivering fuel, including alternative sources and LPG, to sustain operations and support affected residents. Vaz expressed optimism that, with roads being cleared or partially cleared, fuel deliveries could be expedited with police escorts to ensure timely access.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson has issued a rallying cry for national unity and strategic rebuilding in the wake of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, Patterson emphasized that the recovery effort must transcend political and denominational divides, urging Jamaicans to come together with a shared purpose. He stressed the importance of building smarter, given Jamaica’s vulnerability to natural disasters, and proposed revisiting past initiatives to guide the current response. Patterson highlighted the success of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), established after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, as a model for efficient and transparent disaster management. He commended Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his administration for their preparedness and initial response but underscored the need for long-term planning and community involvement. Patterson advocated for innovative construction methods and materials to ensure resilience against future hurricanes, which he noted are becoming more frequent and severe. He also called for bipartisan cooperation and legislative action to address both immediate and long-term needs, emphasizing that rebuilding efforts must account for Jamaica’s susceptibility to natural disasters and the cultural habits of its people.

Renowned reggae artist Jah Cure, whose real name is Siccature Alcock, has been handed a significantly extended prison sentence by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. The court sentenced him to eight years and four months in prison for the 2021 stabbing of Dutch concert promoter Nicardo ‘Papa’ Blake. The incident occurred following a business dispute over payment for a performance in Amsterdam. Jah Cure allegedly waited for Blake at Dam Square and stabbed him in the stomach in broad daylight. The court found that the act was premeditated, based on voice messages sent by Jah Cure to a friend, in which he expressed his intent to stab Blake. Initially, Jah Cure was acquitted of attempted murder but convicted of attempted manslaughter in March 2022, receiving a six-year sentence. However, Dutch prosecutors appealed the acquittal, leading to the recent ruling. Jah Cure has been in pre-trial detention since 2022, awaiting the outcome of the appeal. His lawyer has also appealed the attempted manslaughter conviction, maintaining that the act was not premeditated.

In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the Golden Krust restaurant group has spearheaded a significant relief campaign in the United States, aiming to raise over US$250,000. This initiative supports on-the-ground relief efforts coordinated by The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ). Golden Krust, the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to secure a franchise license, has mobilized its network of over 100 restaurants to establish a relief fund, kickstarted by a US$10,000 contribution from the company. Customers dining at Golden Krust locations can also contribute by adding donations of $1, $3, or $5 at checkout, with all proceeds directly aiding Hurricane Melissa relief. The fundraising campaign will continue until the end of the year. Additionally, Golden Krust has introduced the ‘Boxes of Hope’ initiative, enabling customers to donate essential relief goods, which will be shipped directly to affected areas in Jamaica. Steven Clarke, Vice President of Marketing at Golden Krust, emphasized the company’s commitment to community and compassion, values rooted in its Jamaican heritage. He stated, ‘In collaboration with AFJ and our partners, we are dedicated to providing meaningful support and hope to those devastated by Hurricane Melissa.’ The campaign unites Golden Krust, AFJ, and a coalition of trusted organizations, including the NCB Foundation, Food For The Poor, Global Empowerment Mission, Sanmerna Foundation, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, JetBlue, and Dennis Shipping, to deliver comprehensive aid to Jamaica.

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Attorney Thomas Levene has issued an urgent plea for the relocation of 65 prisoners currently detained at the Black River Police Station, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane has left the station’s lower section completely flooded, creating inhumane conditions for both detainees and police personnel. Levene highlighted the dire situation, stating that the prisoners lack access to basic necessities such as food and clean water. He emphasized that the crisis extends beyond the police station, with the entire Black River community facing severe distress. Residents are grappling with flooding, water shortages, and a lack of shelter, prompting Levene to call for a potential evacuation of the area. The attorney urged authorities to act swiftly to relocate the prisoners and provide emergency relief to affected residents, stressing the need for immediate intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.

In a decisive move to bolster recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican government has announced a temporary suspension of Import Duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on a wide range of essential goods. This tax relief initiative, effective from October 29 to November 28, aims to streamline the importation and distribution of critical supplies to those impacted by the disaster. The suspension applies to both individual and organizational importers, covering items such as cleaning products, clothing, mattresses, toiletries, and non-perishable food items. Additionally, the list includes emergency equipment like generators, tents, and water purification kits, though some items may require pre-approval or permits. Jamaica Customs emphasized that goods imported before October 29 are ineligible for this relief, and other fees such as the Environmental Levy and Customs Administrative Fee remain applicable. This measure is designed to alleviate the financial burden on affected communities and expedite the delivery of much-needed resources during this challenging period.

The historic town of Falmouth in Jamaica has suffered catastrophic damage following the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm that struck the island on Tuesday. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie revealed the extent of the destruction during a media briefing on Friday, after finally establishing contact with Falmouth Mayor Colin Gager. The mayor’s report painted a grim picture of the devastation, describing widespread destruction of key infrastructure and public facilities. Among the severely damaged structures are the municipal building, infirmary, courthouse, fire station, and markets. The drop-in center, which served as a shelter during the hurricane, was flooded and rendered unusable. Similar destruction was reported in other parishes, including St James and St Elizabeth, where municipal buildings, infirmaries, and fire stations were also heavily impacted. Communication remains a critical issue in the five worst-hit parishes—St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny, and Hanover—with authorities planning to deploy Starlink technology to restore connectivity. Additionally, the hurricane has severely disrupted the revenue base of municipal corporations, prompting an urgent assessment to mitigate the financial fallout.