The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has earmarked more than $1 billion for the restoration and reconstruction of communities that faced significant losses due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Relief efforts are being administered through several ministries, departments and agencies, some of which are listed below. • Office of the Prime Minister Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) The...

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has embarked on an initiative known as the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) to boost employment. Recruitment and Job Search On the ELE platform, employers can advertise, post and edit job vacancies, as well as peruse the database of skilled workers. Employers may also utilise conference rooms...

What should you do if you think that a friend or family member has gone missing? Immediately make a report to the nearest police station, once the necessary checks have been made. These include contacting the person’s: • family • friends • neighbours • employer Information Required To expedite the process, it is best to have the following information at...

Elections are an integral part of Jamaica’s democratic process. By-elections refer to elections that are held when a vacancy arises in a constituency. A by-election ensures that individuals within a constituency are not left without political representation. Procedures for By-Elections Nominations Candidates desirous of participating in a by-election can be nominated by the leaders of the political parties or independently....

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a five-point scale developed in 1971 by engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson. It is the most widely recognised scale used for categorising hurricanes. The five categories are used to classify the hurricane’s intensity and potential impact based on the wind speeds. Categories According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management...

The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) has issued a health alert in response to the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, by the World Health Organization (WHO). There are currently no active cases reported in Jamaica, but the disease is contagious, therefore all precautions must be taken as some strains are deadly. What is...

Yams are a popular export crop which earned Jamaica over US$50 million in 2023. However, despite their popularity, yam farmers face production challenges as the crop can also be affected by disease. Yam Rust One such disease is ‘Yam rust’, also known as Goplana dioscorea and Goplana australis. This disease is caused by a fungal pathogen. Symptoms include yellow spots...