Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says to stabilise supply and protect household food security, the Government will be tapping into external sources for selected fruits and vegetables. These, he said, include tomato, lettuce, cabbage, sweet pepper, carrot and papaya, based on dietary importance, stock levels and anticipated gaps over the next two months. “We will closely...

Jamaica’s 100-metre World Champion, Oblique Seville, has partnered with United Way of Jamaica to assist farmers impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Seville has donated $500,000 to the organisation’s Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund, which will primarily assist the farming community. This is through the provision of financial assistance, equipment, and supplies to help farmers rebuild their farms, homes, and livelihoods. The track...

A new protocol has been implemented to ensure that all humanitarian and emergency response vehicles can move swiftly through the island’s toll corridors to deliver essential supplies, personnel, and assistance to affected communities. The new measure was announced on Monday, November 10, in the aftermath of Category Five Hurricane Melissa. Under this arrangement, all ministries, departments, and agencies, non-governmental organisations,...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has developed its Hurricane Melissa Response Programme, which will be undertaken in three phases. Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says phase one, which is the relief phase, will focus on reinstating health services, saving lives, and preventing disease. “Phase one will occur over three months. Phase two of the programme has the...

Ninety-eight farmers registered with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will benefit from a $2.88 million insurance payout under the GraceKennedy Weather Protection Programme to aid their recovery from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The parametric insurance product, administered by GraceKennedy (GK) General Insurance Company Limited, is designed to safeguard the livelihoods of local farmers and fishers against extreme weather...

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is inviting stakeholders engaged in humanitarian outreach in communities hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa to partner with the agency and its network of more than 700 parent mentors. “What we’ve managed to do is to tap into the other entities that are delivering care packages and we go with them. So, as packages are...

Jamaica’s iconic attraction, Dunn’s River Falls, reopened its gates on Tuesday (November 11), two weeks after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica. The reopening is being welcomed by various stakeholders as a strong signal that the island is open for business following the devastation caused by the category-five hurricane. Speaking with JIS News, Chairman of the National Cruise Council (NCC)...