The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has outlined streamlined procedures to ensure the rapid clearance of hurricane‑relief consignments, facilitating timely support from individuals, charities, churches, and community organisations. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Commissioner of Customs, Dr. Velma Ricketts Walker, explained that individuals sending small shipments such as barrels and boxes can expect an efficient clearance process once the requisite documents...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to advancing disability inclusion. He noted that accessibility and equal participation must remain central to Jamaica’s national development agenda. The Minister was addressing a public forum at the Kingston Summit business complex on Wednesday (December 3), to mark the International Day for Persons with...

Residents across several St. Ann communities have begun receiving vital medical support from the United States-based charity group, Mission is Possible, which arrived on the island this week to assist with post-Hurricane Melissa recovery. The week-long relief mission, which began on December 3, is targeting people whose health conditions worsened during and after the storm as well as those who...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has announced a temporary waiver of import permits for a wide range of medical and personal care items, a measure designed to accelerate hurricane relief operations and significantly reduce clearance times at the ports. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Commissioner of Customs, Dr. Velma Ricketts Walker, made the announcement during a recent virtual town hall...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has directed that immediate clean-up operations begin at the Savanna-la-Mar market in Westmoreland, following extensive damage caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa. The Minister was speaking to journalists after touring the facility on Wednesday (December 3). “I have said to the Mayor and to the technical team in...

The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) will host an event on December 5 to assist healthcare workers to replace critical documents, at the Newell Health Centre, in St. Elizabeth. More than 600 healthcare workers in the SRHA (Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth) were impacted directly by the recent Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which damaged their properties, houses, vehicles, and “other...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, has entered the second phase of the National Agriculture Recovery Programme, says portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green. Initiatives will be undertaken through initial funding of $3 billion from the Government, and efforts from local agencies and international partners, building on the interventions during the first phase of the programme. In addition to the...