Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced the Government’s plan to transition from mass package distribution of Hurricane Melissa relief supplies to a system of coupons and cards for affected individuals. He explained that this approach will ensure fairness, efficiency, and the protection of citizens’ pride, adding that “giving persons coupons or cards [will enable them to]...

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica is actively assisting children and families affected by Hurricane Melissa, working closely with local partners and national authorities to ensure relief reaches those who need it most. Speaking to JIS News, UNICEF Education Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, said their teams are helping to ensure access to safe water, hygiene supplies, child-friendly spaces, essential...

The Government is exploring the prospect of using more than 1,000 containers currently sitting idle at the Port of Kingston as possible temporary housing solutions for persons affected by Hurricane Melissa. Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 25). “These containers represent more than...

Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon, says that restoring access to communities and essential services is being prioritised as relief and recovery efforts continue across the parish. “Some of the activities that we would have been doing up to now is to ensure that we have access to all our major...

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has committed to working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other partners to craft emergency preparedness guidelines for Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs). Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, underscored that the guidelines will reflect current hazards and lessons from Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which...

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has launched a $10-billion M5 Business Recovery Programme to support businesses that have been disrupted by the passage of hurricane Melissa. Managing Director, DBJ, Dr. David Lowe, provided details of the programme during a press briefing at Jamaica House on November 26. Through the programme, businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, and tourism that qualify...

Jamaicans are being encouraged to participate in the national clean-up programme, to clear debris from communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (November 26), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the national clean-up exercise, slated to commence next week in Westmoreland, will target the 16 most-affected...