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Parish Disaster Coordinator for Portland, Denise Lewis.

Portland Makes Steady Progress in Recovery Effort

There has been steady progress in recovery and relief efforts in the parish of Portland, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Parish Disaster Coordinator, Denise Lewis, told JIS News in an interview that while the parish was...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, provides details about the Government's Hurricane Melissa recovery plan during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (Nov. 4).

JDF Establishes 22 Disaster Relief Outposts

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), surveys extensive damage to the Black River Market in St. Elizabeth, following the passage of Category Five Hurricane Melissa on October 28. He is joined by Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon (left), along with other key stakeholders. The assessment formed part of a tour and relief distribution exercise conducted in Black River on November 1.

Gov’t to Review and Restructure Jamaica’s Disaster Preparedness Framework

Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz addresses Tuesday’s (Oct. 28) special press conference to update the nation on Hurricane Melissa at the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston.

Norman Manley Airport Could Commence Emergency Flights On Thursday

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

NSWMA Intensifies Garbage Collection to Clear Backlogs Across Communities

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon.

7 months ago Disaster ReliefLocal GovernmentTropical Storm Melissa

Emergency Measures in Place as St. James Prepares for Tropical Storm Melissa

The St. James Municipal Corporation has activated its emergency response protocols to safeguard residents as the parish prepares for the potential impact of adverse weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Melissa. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that routine preparedness measures have been completed and all key agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Jamaica Defence...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a special press briefing on preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday (October 22).

7 months ago Disaster ReliefSocial SecurityTropical Storm Melissa

Labour and Social Security Ministry Activates Disaster Protocols Ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has fully activated its disaster readiness protocols, including the preparation and strategic pre-positioning of relief supplies, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to begin impacting Jamaica on Thursday. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the announcement during a special press briefing on preparations for the storm, at the Office...

Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, is urging farmers to take precaution and prepare, as best as possible, for the passage of tropical storm Melissa.

7 months ago AgricultureDisaster Relief

RADA Urges Farmers to Prepare for Tropical Storm Melissa

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers across the island to prepare themselves and their farms for the passing of Tropical Storm Melissa. As of Tuesday, October 21, at 2:00 p.m., a Meteorological Service of Jamaica Bulletin indicated that a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the island, with Tropical Storm Melissa moving over the Caribbean Sea,...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, makes his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 28).

8 months ago CommunityDevelopmentDisaster ReliefLocal Government

Disaster Coordinators Urged to Maintain Healthy Relationships with Partner Agencies

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has urged the island’s disaster coordinators to maintain healthy relationships with partner entities to strengthen the island's disaster response mechanism. The Minister gave the charge while speaking at a recent meeting of parish disaster coordinators, representatives of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and officers of the...

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller.

8 months ago Disaster Relief

Westmoreland Residents Urged to Exercise Caution Following Heavy Rains

Residents of Westmoreland are being urged to take precautionary measures in the aftermath of a period of heavy rainfall, particularly during instances of flooding. This advisory comes from the Health Promotion Unit of the Westmoreland Public Health Department, which cautions affected individuals to avoid wading or travelling through floodwaters, an activity considered high-risk for the transmission of leptospirosis Health Promotion...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Lance Corporal Dennis Wilson (right) presents a shovel to St. Thomas farmer, Sylvester Drysdale, during an agricultural disaster risk management interagency training session at Hayfield Primary School in St. Thomas on September 9.

9 months ago AgricultureDisaster Relief

Farmers in Hayfield, St. Thomas, Benefit From Disaster Risk Management Training

Farmers in Hayfield, St. Thomas, are now better equipped to manage the impacts of disasters, particularly hurricanes, following an interagency training session held on September 9. The Agriculture Disaster Risk Management training, held at Hayfield Primary and Infant School, formed part of an ongoing series across the six extension areas in the parish. The initiative is being spearheaded by the...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, addresses a function hosted by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation at the S Hotel in Kingston, to provide an update on the Building a Better Jamaica Foundation, which was launched on July 8, 2024, to support the country’s Hurricane Beryl relief efforts.

10 months ago Disaster ReliefInvestmentPrime Minister

PM Highlights Value of Partnerships in Building Resilience to Disasters

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has emphasised the value of partnerships in building the country’s disaster resilience. He said that in the face of increasing climate-related shocks, the contributions of and collaborations with non-governmental organisations (NGO), the private sector and international partners are crucial for Jamaica’s long-term, sustainable development. “We are committed to formalising and strengthening these...