The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that 206,000 of its 550,000 customers have had their power restored. JPS President and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Grant, made the disclosure during Monday’s (November 3) press briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities, at Jamaica House. “We moved from 77 per cent of customers without service to... having just under 50 per...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has activated an extensive national vector-control response following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread flooding and conditions conducive to increased vector populations across several parishes. Speaking during a press conference at the Health Emergency Operations Centre in Kingston on November 1, Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, announced that more than...

Donations to the Government of Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund, made through the official relief website – supportjamaica.gov.jm – are approaching US$1 million. Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, reported that as of 10:33 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, donations to the Fund had reached US$728,000 and J$38 million. “We’re getting to...

Consumers are being assured that the country has adequate supplies of fuel and there is no need to engage in panic-buying of the commodity. Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, gave the assurance during Monday’s (November 3) press briefing to update the country on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities at Jamaica House in Kingston. He said that the Petrojam...

Jamaica has received a  shipment of humanitarian and essential supplies to support citizens affected by the passage of category-five Hurricane Melissa. The delivery is the result of a coordinated effort involving the European Union (EU), France, the Netherlands, United Nations (UN) agencies, the French and Dutch Navies stationed in the Caribbean and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The...

The Government will undertake a comprehensive review and restructuring of Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and response framework, in light of the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. “One lesson Melissa has taught us is that there can be something greater than Melissa, worse than...

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, has lauded the leadership and staff of schools severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, noting that they have shown resilience in the face of significant damage and loss. “They are not just sitting down and that is why I say we have some of the best principals...