The iconic Holland Bamboo, in St. Elizabeth, once a lush covering of bamboo trees which intersect over the road, now shows signs of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Kemar Kennedy, a peanut and jelly coconut vendor, who has worked at his stall in Holland Bamboo for three years, says recovery of the area is important and very personal. Mr. Kennedy...

This year’s festive season does not look the same for all Jamaicans, as Category Five Hurricane Melissa made a devastating impact on sections of the country on October 28. While some continue to rebuild and recover, others who were spared the worst of the disaster are making a decision to enjoy the season mindfully, sending thoughts and prayers to their...

Volunteers of the humanitarian non-profit organisation, World Central Kitchen (WCK), were recently honoured for their support in Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, during a ‘Gratitude Concert’ featuring reggae recording artiste Peter Lloyd and the ‘Fi Real’ Band, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. The crowd broke into cheers as WCK announced it had achieved the milestone of delivering...

A team of 25 HEART/NSTA Trust trainees is helping to advance restoration efforts at Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth. The hotel was badly hit during the passage of Category Five Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The trainees were deployed on December 2 from three Southwest TVET Institute campuses – Black River and Derrick Rochester (Junction) in St. Elizabeth,...

Support from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has significantly strengthened Jamaica’s response and recovery efforts, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. Regional Deputy Director, OCHA, Rogerio Mobilia, said that a team was deployed to Jamaica after the storm to support coordination, data collection and alignment among humanitarian partners. He was...

As Jamaica continues its recovery following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the importance of unified support in strengthening the country’s response and long-term resilience is being highlighted. Team Lead of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Operations Support Team within the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Major General Rodney Smart, said that having national, regional and international support after any major...

When Hurricane Melissa tore through sections of Jamaica on October 28 as a category-five storm, it left a painful reminder that in disaster zones, hunger can be a stubborn companion to destruction. In response, an international nonprofit organisation known for turning crisis into meals – World Central Kitchen (WCK) – has mobilised with astonishing speed, transforming makeshift kitchens into lifelines...

The Jamaican diaspora in Canada has risen to the occasion with a tremendous outpouring of support for the island and residents, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. From donating relief supplies to hosting benefit concerts, the community has been mobilising across cities such as Toronto and Montreal. High Commissioner of Jamaica to Canada, Marsha Coore-Lobban, notes that her team’s immediate...