As national recovery efforts continue following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the number of Jamaicans remaining in emergency shelters has declined to approximately 13,000 – a significant reduction compared to previous days. Speaking during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday (October 30), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, reported that of the more than...

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has dedicated a helicopter to locate and coordinate the collection of bodies in the aftermath of category-five Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on October 28. The disclosure was made by Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Thursday’s (October 30) Special Press Briefing at Jamaica...

The Government has commenced efforts to clear blocked roadways and restore access to communities most severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. These include engaging the services of contractors and owners of heavy-duty equipment. Clearing the roadways will also allow relief supplies to reach thousands of people who have lost their homes and belongings in the disaster. Minister without Portfolio in the...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is facilitating the swift and efficient processing of disaster relief and humanitarian aid arriving in the country following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking in an interview with JIS NEWS, Chief Information Officer at the JCA, André Williams, said that the agency is working diligently to ensure that all systems and coordination mechanisms are in...

Several governments in the Caribbean region and around the world have offered support to Jamaica in the aftermath of catastrophic Hurricane Melissa. “We've gotten support from the US [United States] government, we've gotten support from the EU [European Union] and from the UK [United Kingdom]. All of our Caribbean brothers and sisters have pledged support. I know Trinidad; last night...

The Government is crafting an emergency education plan for students in parishes worst affected by the passage of category-five Hurricane Melissa. Addressing a Special Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday (October 30), Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said some schools in parishes that fared better may reopen on Monday (November...

More than 170 communities across the six most devasted parishes islandwide have been moderately or severely affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The disclosure was made by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, at a special media briefing held at Jamaica House today (October 30). “Just to advise the country of the six most severely...