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President and Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Public Service Company, Hugh Grant, provides an update on the post-Hurricane Melissa electricity restoration process during a press conference at Jamaica House on Tuesday (November 11).

JPS Restores Power to 300,000 Customers Affected by Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that electricity has been restored for approximately 300,000 customers, representing 64 per cent of its service base across sections of the island, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. “This is a solid...

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, addresses a press conference at Jamaica House on Tuesday (November 11).

Gov’t Extends Sincere Condolences Following Tragic Florida Plane Crash

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

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

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

3 months ago Hurricane MelissaInformation

45 Confirmed Deaths from Hurricane Melissa

The Government is reporting that the death toll from Category Five Hurricane Melissa is now at 45. Addressing Tuesday’s (Nov. 11) Special Press Briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in conjunction the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), investigated and concluded that the deaths...

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

3 months ago CommunityDevelopmentDisaster ReliefLocal Government

St. James Residents Urged to Avoid Unsafe Routes

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, is imploring residents of St. James to avoid using unsafe routes and to heed the warnings of emergency personnel. “Almost all roadways across St. James are now accessible with the exception of Spring Mount and the road leading to Cambridge via Montpelier and Seven Rivers,” he informed. “We do not recommend persons crossing...

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).

3 months ago Disaster ReliefForeign AffairsHurricane Relief & Recovery

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

The United States (US) has pledged an additional US$10 million to support Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating impact of Category Five Hurricane Melissa. This latest commitment brings the total financial support from the US Government to US$22 million. The announcement was made by US Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, Jeremy Lewin, during a meeting with...

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.

3 months ago Foreign AffairsHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

EU Commissioner Praises Jamaica’s Hurricane Response

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Her Excellency Hadja Lahbib, has commended the Government for its response to citizens affected by Hurricane Melissa. “I would like to acknowledge the remarkable resilience and leadership shown by the Government of Jamaica in responding to this crisis,” Ms. Lahbib stated during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister...

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...