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Director General at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, gives an update on relief efforts, at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Tuesday (November 11).

ODPEM to Publish List of Marooned and Priority Communities

Effective Tuesday (November 11), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will begin publishing a list of marooned and priority communities for relief distribution. “The ODPEM will commence publishing also, planned relief supplies such that across the nation...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addresses an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meeting at the St. James Municipal Corporation on Monday ( November 10).

Steady Progress in Power and Water Restoration Across St. James

Members of the World Food Programme (WFP) distribute food boxes containing non-perishable items, rice, and vegetable oil – sufficient to sustain a family of three for up to seven days – to residents in St. Elizabeth on Monday (November 10). The occasion formed part of a tour of the Emergency Field Hospital and its facilities at Black River High School, led by Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom at the United States (US) Department of State, Jeremy Lewin, alongside Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green.

US Pledges Long-Term Support for Jamaica’s Hurricane Recovery

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), shakes hands with United Sates Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, Jeremy Lewin, following a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday (November 10).

United States Pledges Additional US$10M for Jamaica’s Hurricane Recovery

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ambassador the Hon. Audrey Marks (left), welcomes European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Her Excellency Hadja Lahbib, to the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday, November 9. Both officials held discussions on the European Union’s humanitarian support for Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

EU Commissioner Praises Jamaica’s Hurricane Response

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, tours a destroyed classroom at Belmont Academy in Bluefields, Westmoreland, on Friday, November 7.

3 months ago EducationHurricane Relief & RecoveryYouth

Ministry Calls on Corporate Partners to Prioritise Education System in the West

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is urging corporate partners and all Jamaicans who are able to assist to prioritise the education system, as schools across the island, particularly those in Western Jamaica, grapple with extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. The appeal was made during a tour of affected institutions in Westmoreland on Friday, November 7, where...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams (left), and Ambassador of Belgium to Jamaica, Ellen De Geest, welcome the arrival of 200 generators donated by the Government of Belgium to support the island

3 months ago Disaster ReliefForeign AffairsHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

PHOTOS: Jamaica Gets 200 Generators from Belgium

Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Charlton McFarlane (right), assists resident of Montpelier, Hanover, Lloyd Stewart (left), in accessing Starlink Wi-Fi service via a mobile unit deployed in the community on November 7.

3 months ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryTechnology

USF Deploys Mobile Wi-Fi Station in Montpelier, Hanover, to Support Hurricane Recovery

The Universal Service Fund (USF) rolled out a mobile Wi-Fi and charging station in Montpelier, Hanover, on November 7, to provide critical connectivity support for residents impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charlton McFarlane, told JIS News that the agency’s community Wi-Fi infrastructure sustained significant damage during Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28. In response, the...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), Charmaine Williams-Beckford, gives remarks during an Emergency Operations Centre meeting, held recently at the St. James Municipal Corporation.

3 months ago Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Cornwall Regional Hospital Continues to Serve Patients

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), Charmaine Williams-Beckford, says the facility remains functional and continues to serve patients, despite sustaining severe structural damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), held at the St. James Municipal Corporation, Mrs. Williams-Beckford said the hospital has...

3 months ago Hurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryOffice of the Prime Minister

EU Provides Assistance Package to Jamaica Post Hurricane Melissa

The European Union (EU) has mobilised €2 million in emergency funding to help families in Jamaica impacted during the passage of Hurricane Melissa rebuild, restore basic services, and recover their livelihoods. An additional €1.25 million will be allocated by the Union to support the Red Cross response in Cuba and Jamaica. The announcement was made by European Commissioner for Equality,...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon.

3 months ago Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Cleanup Underway at Charles Gordon Market

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, is recommending the establishment of a new Charles Gordon Market, following severe damages caused by Hurricane Melissa, as cleanup and restoration continue in the market district. “The entire roof is gone, and much of the market infrastructure has been destroyed. We will have to go in reset mode, and we may very well...

Members from the Pure Ultra Lounge team (right), distribute meals and care packages to Fustic Road residents in St. James on Sunday (November 9).

3 months ago Hurricane Relief & Recovery

Residents in St. James Receive Hot Meals and Care Packages

Residents in hurricane-affected communities, are receiving hot meals and care packages through a partnership between the St. James Municipal Corporation and Pure Ultra Lounge. Following the distribution of packages on Sunday (November 9) on Fustic Road, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon told JIS News that the area, also referred to as ‘Train Line,’ has been severely impacted, with...