A total of 45 deaths have been confirmed in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, with 16 individuals still missing, as search, restoration, and relief efforts continue across the island. Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, provided the update during a Special Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (November 26). In...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is in the process of procuring the first 2,500 semi-permanent housing units under the rapid deployment housing initiative. Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the NHT, Dwayne Berbick, made the announcement today (November 26), while addressing a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, at the Office of the Prime Minister...

Jamaica is set to receive an additional US$4 million from the United Nations (UN) Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to accelerate life-saving humanitarian activities in parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa. The funding will be implemented through five UN-affiliated agencies – the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to maintain a fully activated national response system, sustaining coordinated relief, assessment, and distribution efforts across the island. Speaking at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery at Jamaica House, on November 26, Director General of ODPEM, Commander Alvin Gayle, reported that ODPEM continues to coordinate “national [and] international...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is looking to instal prefabricated housing units in sections of the country to accommodate displaced persons, especially those who occupy school facilities following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Addressing a press conference at Jamaica House on November 26, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said an inspection of the prefabricated solutions will be...

The Government has allocated $10 million to each constituency to facilitate the clean-up of debris left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 25). He also informed the House that $150,000 will be allocated to each Councillor in all...

Residents of communities in the five parishes most severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa will be benefiting from health and relief assistance from United States-based Jamaican diaspora charity, Living Well Community Care Center. The 30-member team of medical and health professionals and educators will be operating in the parishes of St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, and Westmoreland, conducting medical...