The Social Development Commission (SDC) has launched a Temporary Accommodations Needs Assessment Survey across the six parishes severely affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The survey, commissioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has three primary objectives – to provide an evidence-based report on the number of displaced families and individuals, to determine how many of...

More than 70,000 care packages have been distributed across St. James since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, as Government and relief partners intensify support to affected residents. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, provided the update while addressing the ongoing humanitarian response across the parish. He was speaking to journalists after a follow-up meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre...

The Government is exploring several strategies to manage the debris left across several parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. “We are examining all the options, including recycling, using wood chippers to reduce the wood, having a structured approach to the recovery of scrap metals and other such strategies to make sure that we can properly manage this debris. Objective...

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is leveraging advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to assess the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa and to strengthen Jamaica’s preparedness for future weather events. During a recent JIS ‘Studio 58A’ live discussion, representatives from NEPA outlined the Agency’s ongoing assessment efforts and the critical role of technology in national recovery. Senior...

Community Relations Officer for the National Works Agency ( NWA) Western Office, Janel Ricketts, said the agency is working to repair a section of breakaway along the Sign main road in St. James. “The roadway connects commuters and residents from Sign to areas such as Lottery and Virgin Valley. A section of that corridor has been cut off, so persons...

WPM Waste Management Limited will be intensifying operations to remove waste from communities across St. James, including the mini dump sites for hurricane debris. “In the coming days, you will see an increase in the operations whereby additional tipper trucks [and backhoes] have been engaged to be deployed to clean all the dump sites,” said WPM Regional Operations Manager, Dramaine...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is working with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to bring in additional resources, including 300 linesmen, to return electricity to the island at a quicker pace. “On the general trajectory, it could be as long as six months before electricity is returned to every community in Jamaica,” Dr. Holness...