Jamaica’s international reserves remain robust despite the worsened external position resulting from Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the country on October 28. Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor, Richard Byles, reported that the reserves stood at a historically high US$6.3 billion in mid-December 2025. Addressing the BOJ’s Quarterly Monetary Policy Report press conference, held on Monday (December 22) at the BOJ auditorium...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is advising farmers to get into preparation mode ahead of the beet army worm season, to effectively manage the pest. Activities from the beet army worm typically increase between February and June each year. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA, Francine Webb, said despite the recent wind and rain helping to...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is currently undertaking ground-truthing activities to assess the damage caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa. Ground-truthing is the validation of remotely collected data (from satellites, aerial surveys, drones, or sensors) by conducting direct, on-site observations. This ensures that what is seen in imagery or models truly reflects conditions on the ground....

The Government will rebuild and restore damaged police stations to withstand category-five hurricanes as part of its Accelerated Infrastructure Restoration (AIR) Plan, following the unprecedented impact of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. In an interview with JIS News, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, said the restoration programme is being guided by...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is offering escort services for persons who wish to deliver relief supplies to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa in the western end of the island. At a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr. Gary McKenzie, said the service is...

Rehabilitation works are under way on the Moy Hall roadway in St. James under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme. “It is one of several projects that are being undertaken in the parish of St. James through this programme, with the others being Greenwood and Brissett in St. James,” Community Relations Officer at the...

Community groups, churches, past students’ associations and diaspora partners have played a critical role in strengthening the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s recovery efforts across Region Four following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Regional Director, Dr. Michele Pinnock, told JIS News that schools in the parishes of St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland have benefited from widespread support as...