Hurricane Melissa, at Category Five strength, has severely impacted the majority of residents in Black River, St. Elizabeth. Among those adversely affected is seven-year-old Layla Mullings, who conveys the devastation of her family home in Luana through drawings – one showing their house before the hurricane, the other capturing its ruin after the powerful cyclone swept across Jamaica on October...

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage on October 28, two young survivors of the Category Five cyclone are calling for urgent community-driven recovery efforts. Their appeal reinforces the importance of proactive, collective action in tandem with national rebuilding initiatives. Above all, they are urging communities to set aside differences, where these may exist, and unite in the urgent...

Business interests and hospitality leaders across Jamaica are rallying around a bold message: entertainment and attractions will play a central role in jump-starting the country’s recovery from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa. The consensus is that fast action in the resort belt, coupled with a visible return to normalcy through vibrant entertainment, will help restore confidence, reopen tourism, and...

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28, Church Corner resident, Sylvia DaCosta, remains deeply grateful for the refuge she found at Paul Bogle High School in St. Thomas – a sanctuary once again through another major weather event. Ms. DaCosta recalls seeking shelter at the school since 1988, weathering some of the nation’s fiercest storms, including the...

The administration at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) remains hopeful, believing in the resilience of the school and its community to rebuild the institution that has been destroyed by the passage of the powerful Hurricane Melissa. The category five storm made landfall on Tuesday (Oct. 28) with maximum sustained winds estimated at 295 kilometres per hour (185 miles),...

Ninety-four-year-old Hyacinth Lowe has been beaming with joy since returning to her renovated home, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl last July. The roof of her Queensbury, St. Elizabeth, residence was completely torn off by strong winds, leaving a trail of devastation behind. Ms. Lowe is one of the beneficiaries of the HEART/NSTA Trust National Impact Projects. The repairs...

Kemar Evans is closer to reuniting with his children under one roof after receiving grant assistance towards the restoration of his home under the Government’s ‘Rebuild Jamaica’ initiative. The St. Mary resident’s house suffered significant damage during the July 3 hurricane, and his children have been staying with relatives since then. “The house was completely down… it was a disturbing...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has been providing relief assistance to victims of natural or man-made disasters through its Emergency Assistance Grant. Under the initiative, persons receive a cash grant of $75,000 while also being provided with in-kind support, such as food, toiletries and bedding. Acting Director for Disaster, Rehabilitation and Welfare Management in the Ministry, Jacqueline Shepherd,...

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the island on July 3, the Issa Trust Foundation has offered assistance to staff members of Couples Resorts who have been affected. Notably, staff members at Couples Ocho Rios, Couples San Souci, Couples Swept Away Negril, and Couples Negril, have been offered support in the form of cash grants. Chairman of the...