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Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, gives an update on the country’s hurricane Melissa recovery efforts at a special press conference on November 19 at Jamaica House.
Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, gives an update on the country’s hurricane Melissa recovery efforts at a special press conference on November 19 at Jamaica House.

156,000 Dwellings Damaged Across Six Parishes

Hurricane Melissa damaged 156,000 dwellings across the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Manchester, St. James, Trelawny and Hanover, with 24,000 being total losses. Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, gave the...
World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean countries, Lilia Burunciuc, delivers an address at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Wednesday (November 19).
World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean countries, Lilia Burunciuc, delivers an address at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House in Kingston on Wednesday (November 19).

St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland Sustained US$5.5 Billion in Damage from Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica Banker’s Association (JBA) President, Audrey Tugwell Henry (centre), hands over a cheque valued $5 million to Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President, Metry Seaga (second right), towards the PSOJ’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort. Sharing in the presentation are (from left) JBA Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Hume; Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President , Kathryn Silvera; and Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) President, Emile Leiba. The handover ceremony was held on Wednesday (November 19) at the PSOJ’s offices in Kingston.
Jamaica Banker’s Association (JBA) President, Audrey Tugwell Henry (centre), hands over a cheque valued $5 million to Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President, Metry Seaga (second right), towards the PSOJ’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort. Sharing in the presentation are (from left) JBA Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Hume; Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President , Kathryn Silvera; and Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) President, Emile Leiba. The handover ceremony was held on Wednesday (November 19) at the PSOJ’s offices in Kingston.

JBA Contributes $5M to PSOJ Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort
Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, addresses the recent St. James Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Montego Bay.
Acting Chief Public Health Inspector for St. James, Sherika Lewis, addresses the recent St. James Municipal Corporation monthly meeting in Montego Bay.

Communal Sanitation Systems Proposed to Support Hurricane-Affected Residents in St. James
Hurricane victims, Icilda Brown (centre), Christine Burnett (left) and Angela Farquharson in the badly damaged community of Whitehouse, in Westmoreland, on November 17.
Hurricane victims, Icilda Brown (centre), Christine Burnett (left) and Angela Farquharson in the badly damaged community of Whitehouse, in Westmoreland, on November 17.

Hurricane Victims Hopeful After Visit by PM and CARICOM Heads

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State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Krystal Lee (centre), observes as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WaterStep, Mark Hogg, demonstrates how the water-purification bleach makers function during the handover ceremony for 300 machines at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in New Kingston on Tuesday (November 18). Also looking on is the Ministry’s Director of Communication, Stephen Davidson (left). The durable systems enable health facilities to produce World Health Organization (WHO)-approved, medical-grade disinfectant on site, ensuring a stable local supply while expanding access to safe water and sanitation solutions, particularly during disasters.
Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

300 Bleach Makers Donated to Jamaica’s Health System

Over 300 bleach makers have been donated to Jamaica’s health system, bolstering the nation’s capacity to provide safe, on-site medical-grade disinfectants in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The donation, from United States-based international non-governmental organisation, WaterStep, was facilitated through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Speaking at the handover ceremony at the ODPEM’s headquarters in New Kingston...
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Caption: Medical Officer of Health for Portland, Dr. Sharon Lewis, speaking at the recent monthly sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio.
Health & WellnessHurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & Recovery

Portlanders Urged to Take Precaution Against Leptospirosis

Following flooding across sections of Portland due to Hurricane Melissa, Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr. Sharon Lewis, is urging residents to take precautionary measures against leptospirosis. Speaking at the recent monthly sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio, Dr. Lewis said there is an increased risk of human exposure to contaminated water and food, due...
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Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), listens attentively as Commanding Officer for Westmoreland Police Division, Superintendent Othneil Dobson (right), provides a status report on post-Hurricane Melissa operational activities in the parish. The occasion was a visit to Whitehouse, Westmoreland, by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government and officials, and Jamaican Ministers of Government on Monday (November 17). The tour was led by Dr. Holness, who Chairs CARICOM. Also listening (from second left) are Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon. Dickon Mitchell; President of Guyana, Dr. the Hon. Irfaan Ali (partially hidden in background); President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, and Jamaica
CARICOMHurricane Relief & Recovery

Grenada’s Prime Minister Highlights Regional Solidarity Amid Jamaica’s Hurricane Recovery

Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, has emphasised the vital importance of regional solidarity during times of crisis, citing the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted Jamaica. In expressing solidarity with the Government and people of Jamaica as the island recovers from the recent hurricane‑related challenge, Prime Minister Mitchell noted that support extended by regional territories, particularly...
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President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre), addresses reporters following a tour of hurricane-affected areas in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, on November 17. Listening are Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left) and Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams (right).
CARICOMHurricane Relief & Recovery

President of Guyana Outlines Assistance for Jamaica

President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has outlined a comprehensive, rapid-response programme to assist Jamaica as the island recovers from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Addressing reporters in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, on November 17, during a tour of hard-hit areas in western Jamaica by several CARICOM Heads, President Ali said that Guyana stands with Jamaica as part...
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Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (third right, front row), shakes hands with the GraceKennedy (GK) Group
AgricultureHurricane Relief & Recovery

Young Farmer Thankful for GK Weather Protection Programme’s Hurricane Recovery Support

Twenty‑four‑year‑old farmer, Tasheka Powell, has expressed gratitude for the GraceKennedy (GK) Weather Protection Programme, following receipt of a portion of a $2.88 million insurance payout to assist her recovery from catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. She was among the group of farmers who received a symbolic cheque representing the total payout during a recent handover ceremony hosted at the...
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Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), interacts with residents of Whitehouse in Westmoreland during a visit by CARICOM Heads of Government and government ministers to the community on Monday (November 17).
CARICOMHurricane Relief & Recovery

PM Pledges Fiscal Discipline, Transparency in Hurricane Recovery and Rebuilding

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to fiscal discipline and transparency in the Hurricane Melissa recovery and rebuilding process. He said that every dollar spent, including private contributions, will be accounted for and measured by tangible results. "One of the reasons we are able to galvanise the multilateral community is because of the...
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Chief Executive Officer of the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, Roan Grant (second from right), accepts a cheque from Dance Hall recording artiste “Bounty Killer” (Rodney Price), second left, during a handover at the institution on Monday (November 17). They are joined by (from left) Chairman of the Hospital’s Management Committee, Jamie James; and Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Savanna-la-mar Hospital, Dr. Jevayne Mills.
Hurricane Relief & Recovery

Entertainers Provide $8M Post-Hurricane Philanthropic Support to Four Western Jamaica Hospitals

Four hospitals in western Jamaica have received a significant $8-million boost to their operations through a major philanthropic initiative in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Dance Hall recording artiste “Bounty Killer” (Rodney Price), through his Bounty Foundation, and American music producer, DJ Khaled, via his We The Best Foundation, jointly donated $2 million each to the four hospitals on Monday...
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