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Team Leader for Analytical Services at the Scientific Research Council, Ray-Anne Shaw Phillips, says the organisation understands the challenges people are facing and is ready to provide the support needed to ensure their essential resources remain safe.

SRC Ready to Offer Food and Water Testing to Safeguard Public Health

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is reaffirming its commitment to stand with communities and businesses recovering from the recent hurricane, offering reliable food and water testing to help safeguard public health during this vulnerable period. Team Leader for Analytical Services...

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller.

Parents and Guardians Urged to Store Household Chemicals Properly

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, announces the establishment of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA), during a press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (Nov. 19).

NARA to Lead and Fast-Track National Reconstruction Efforts

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, gives an update on the country’s hurricane Melissa recovery efforts at a special press conference on November 19 at Jamaica House.

156,000 Dwellings Damaged Across Six Parishes

World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean countries, Lilia Burunciuc, delivers an address at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Wednesday (November 19).

St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland Sustained US$5.5 Billion in Damage from Hurricane Melissa

Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Audrey V. Sewell.

7 months ago Finance & Public ServiceTechnology

Cabinet Secretary Says Purpose of AI is to Empower Human Beings

Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Audrey V. Sewell, has emphasised that the purpose of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not to replace human beings, but to empower them. In a message read by Acting Deputy Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Deloree Staple-Chambers, at a church service to mark the start of Civil Service Week, held on...

Jamaica Banker’s Association (JBA) President, Audrey Tugwell Henry (centre), hands over a cheque valued $5 million to Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President, Metry Seaga (second right), towards the PSOJ’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort. Sharing in the presentation are (from left) JBA Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Hume; Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President , Kathryn Silvera; and Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) President, Emile Leiba. The handover ceremony was held on Wednesday (November 19) at the PSOJ’s offices in Kingston.

7 months ago Hurricane Relief & Recovery

JBA Contributes $5M to PSOJ Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort

The Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) has contributed $5 million to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort. The presentation was made during a handover ceremony at the PSOJ’s offices in Kingston on Wednesday (November 19). Chief Executive Officer of the JBA, Barbara Hume, said the contribution reflects the association’s shared commitment to stand with Jamaica at...

Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, is urging farmers to use protective gear while clearing their fields.

7 months ago Agriculture

Farmers Urged to Be Careful During Recovery Work in Their Fields

Farmers should exercise great caution and protect themselves during recovery efforts while in the field, says Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb. In a recent interview with JIS News, Ms. Webb said with the type of damage resulting from Hurricane Melissa, numerous hazards exist for farmers to navigate. “Start off...

Medical Officer of Health for Portland, Dr. Sharon Lewis, addresses the recent monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio.

7 months ago Health & Wellness

Portland Residents Urged to Reschedule Clinic Appointments After Hurricane Melissa Disruptions

Portland residents who missed clinic appointments due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa are being urged to take immediate steps to reschedule, as parish health services continue recovery efforts following weather-related disruptions. Speaking during the Portland Municipal Corporation’s recent monthly meeting in Port Antonio, Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr. Sharon Lewis, reported that the Category Five hurricane...

Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, addresses the recent St. James Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Montego Bay.

7 months ago Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Communal Sanitation Systems Proposed to Support Hurricane-Affected Residents in St. James

Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, is recommending the establishment of communal sanitation systems for residents affected by Hurricane Melissa. “We are aware that there are some communities that predominantly have pit latrines [and that others have no facilities at all]. At this time, it is going to be a challenge, and we are concerned about...

Hurricane victims, Icilda Brown (centre), Christine Burnett (left) and Angela Farquharson in the badly damaged community of Whitehouse, in Westmoreland, on November 17.

7 months ago CARICOMHurricane Relief & Recovery

Hurricane Victims Hopeful After Visit by PM and CARICOM Heads

The visit to Whitehouse and adjoining communities in Westmoreland by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness and CARICOM Heads, on November 17, is being viewed by some residents as a sign of hope for better things to come. While readily acknowledging that the visit, which also included representatives of several international lending agencies, will not immediately fix the...

State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (centre), observes as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WaterStep, Mark Hogg, demonstrates how the water-purification bleach makers function during the handover ceremony for 300 machines at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in New Kingston on Tuesday (November 18). Also looking on is the Ministry’s Director of Communication, Stephen Davidson (left). The durable systems enable health facilities to produce World Health Organization (WHO)-approved, medical-grade disinfectant on site, ensuring a stable local supply while expanding access to safe water and sanitation solutions, particularly during disasters.

7 months ago Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

300 Bleach Makers Donated to Jamaica’s Health System

Over 300 bleach makers have been donated to Jamaica’s health system, bolstering the nation’s capacity to provide safe, on-site medical-grade disinfectants in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The donation, from United States-based international non-governmental organisation, WaterStep, was facilitated through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Speaking at the handover ceremony at the ODPEM’s headquarters in New Kingston...