MONTEGO BAY, November 5 (JIS):

The Chinese community, through the Guangdong Association, has donated approximately $2.5 million worth of relief supplies to support recovery efforts in St. Ann’s Bay following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The donation, which includes bottled water, toiletries, and basic food items such as flour and rice, will be distributed to the St. Ann’s Bay Infirmary, senior citizens, and residents whose homes were damaged during the hurricane.

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, told JIS News on Monday (November 3) that the contribution was in response to an appeal made to the business community for assistance.

“We put out an SOS to the business community, and the Chinese community in St. Ann’s Bay responded in a big way,” he said.

The Mayor noted that each councillor in the parish will receive approximately 100 care packages for distribution across their respective divisions.

He informed that the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, will also be providing care packages to supplement local recovery efforts.

Additionally, the St. Ann’s Bay Municipal Corporation has partnered with food establishments, including Island Grill and Mother’s restaurant to provide meals and water to affected residents.

He noted that access to “clean, fresh, potable water is important right now, so we’re ensuring that this happens” Mayor Belnavis said.

MORANT BAY, November 5 (JIS):

There has been steady progress in recovery and relief efforts in the parish of Portland, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

Parish Disaster Coordinator, Denise Lewis, told JIS News in an interview that while the parish was spared the worst from Hurricane Melissa, the activities of the Portland Municipal Corporation and stakeholders also assisted in minimising the effects of the category-five storm.

“The Corporation ensured that we had our emergency operations meeting with government and non-governmental organisations. During the storm, there was communication with the public [and] as soon as the storm was through, our government and non-governmental organisations carried out assessments,” Mrs. Lewis said.

She disclosed that three shelters remain open out of the 60 that were activated throughout Melissa’s passage. They are the Manchioneal Primary School with 10 persons, one person at Reach All-Age School, and a family of four at the Woodstock Housing Scheme Community Centre.

“We continue to give the humanitarian assistance to persons within shelters, but not only within shelters; it’s across the length and breadth of Portland, as persons have had their roofs lifted and zincs blown. So, we continue across the parish to carry out assessments and, of course, giving care packages where they are needed,” Mrs. Lewis said.

She lamented, however, that one male died in his house due to a fallen tree.

In terms of the road network in the parish, Mrs. Lewis said that there were reports of damage.

“But our responders worked assiduously to ensure that blocked roads were totally cleared across the parish. Those that were not totally cleared were partially cleared and work continues,” she pointed out.

Although power restoration is ongoing and many residents remain without electricity and cell reception, Mrs. Lewis committed that the parish will “build back better”.

“The journey continues as the Humanitarian Committee members, headed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, do their assessments so that information gathered can be shared locally and to the point of nationally, so that the necessary assistance for roofs to be repaired, or so that those persons whose houses have been destroyed can go back to normalcy,” the Disaster Coordinator said.

KINGSTON, Nov. 3 (JIS):

A national cleanup campaign will be undertaken following the devastation caused across the island by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said he will announce the roll out of the initiative later this week.

“A part of any recovery must be keeping our cities, towns and communities clean,” he said, while addressing a special media briefing at Jamaica House on November 3.

He informed that the initiative will be led by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), with the participation of several key agencies, including the National Works Agency (NWA), Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

“The SDC will be responsible for coordinating community activities throughout, and this will be a call for national duty, for national response. The country will require the full support [and] participation of all Jamaicans in this exercise,” he said.

Minister Mckenzie, who visited St. Elizabeth on Saturday (Nov. 1) said “what I saw was devastating,” emphasising the importance of unity in the recovery process.

“This is the time when all of Jamaica [should come together] and I am going to be reaching out to my opposition counterpart [Natalie Neita-Garvey] to invite her to the meeting to discuss the cleanup exercise because we are taking a national approach,” he said.

MONTEGO BAY, October 31 (JIS):

International partners have begun offering support to St. James as the parish moves into the recovery phase following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that the municipality has already received outreach from overseas entities willing to assist in rebuilding efforts, including the Spanish Embassy.

“We have been receiving calls from persons outside. International aid, at this time, is very welcome. We can’t recover without the partnership of our brothers and sisters externally,” he said.

The Mayor expressed gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity, noting that Montego Bay’s resilience and community spirit will be central to its recovery.

He assured the international community that tourists on the island are safe, noting that there have been no distress calls from hotels and only three reports from visitors in Airbnb accommodations.

“They managed to stay safely, and all tourists are in good condition. We have not had any incidents or injuries among them,” he said.

Mayor Vernon added that the Sangster International Airport is in “reset mode” and recovery work is progressing faster than anticipated.

“Very soon, persons will be able to fly home to visit their loved ones and understand what they have gone through. We are pushing hard as a city to ensure we reconnect people once more,” he said.

He underscored that the recovery of Montego Bay will depend on unity and collaboration at all levels.

“We need national, regional, international, and community support to get this done, and I believe that support is there. We just need to coordinate it properly,” he said.

Mayor Vernon sent a message of hope and determination to the citizenry of the parish.

During a local Press Briefing, prior to Hurricane Melissa making landfall on Tuesday afternoon, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, expressed displeasure after receiving reports that some schools designated as emergency shelters were closed to Shelterees.

“Earlier on, there were concerns raised about a couple of schools in Clarendon that refused to give access to the facilities that is being used as shelters, and in one case, the Mayor was instructed to take whatever steps, if necessary, to gain access to use the facilities at the school,” said Minister McKenzie

The Minister spoke extensively about the conditions under which schools are used as emergency shelters.  He also added that all emergency shelters will remain open until they are no longer required.

“The shelters will remain open for as long as it is necessary for the shelters to operate. No shelter can be closed unless those instructions myself as the minister or from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management”

During another update on Wednesday morning, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, he gave a general insight into some of the infrastructural damages that the island suffered, including essential institutions such as Infirmaries, Drop-in Centres, Police Stations, Schools and Hospitals.

The Minister cited that relief systems have been put in place, and since the ‘all clear’ has been given, aid will be deployed to those badly affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Last Tuesday, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 system, ripping apart homes and livelihoods on the island before making its way to Cuba.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, indicated that there are close to 6,000 Jamaicans in shelters across the island. He was speaking on Tuesday Morning at the Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa. He also reaffirmed that all 881 Shelters are open across the island.

“The numbers that I have presently speak to, of the 800 shelters, 382 shelters are occupied so far. With a total of persons within shelters of almost 6000 people,” he said.

The Minister expressed concerns for residents living in St. Elizabeth, as some residents within the parish are now calling for evacuation assistance after transportation and mobilization support have been placed on hold. This decision was announced by Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, as a safety precaution for transport operators as Hurricane Melissa edges the coast of Jamaica.

“All road operations for JUTC ceased last night, with the exception of transport assistance provided by them to essential services staff such as hospital workers,” said Minister Vaz.

“I would urge people who can move to do so, and the Mayors and the CEOs and the Councillors and the Members of Parliament to do everything that is possible to assist those persons in moving,” Minister McKenzie added.

Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, announced that the hurricane was some 70 miles off the coast of Jamaica and was expected to barrel through the western end of the island. Melissa will be the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall over the island.

RESIDENTS IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK SHELTER

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that of the 881 shelters that were activated, only 76 are occupied with 972 residents. He was speaking at a Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa on Monday morning (October 27).

“There are over 800 shelters across Jamaica. Of the 800 shelters, that are open, only 76 of the 800 shelters are seeing any activities at all…based on the networking that we have been doing, represents 972 persons in shelters,” he said.

“I am hoping that the next update that is presented will show a much greater picture, because I am concerned that in the parishes where the system is heading the numbers are small, “he continued. This comes as residents in vulnerable communities are reportedly expressing reluctance.

Minister McKenzie continued to explain that based on weather predictions and additional data, some 50,000 residents will be relocated, and he cautioned Jamaicans to be mindful of the information that is being published and consumed.

“False and malicious information being circulated about the use of shelters. Someone sent me a message that says that there is a fee being charged for the use of shelters… nonsense… The only passport one need to go the shelter is that you go… walk with your medication, walk with some water and crackers for the first couple hours,”

The Minister continues to encourage and implore persons living in flood-prone areas to heed the warnings, take advantage of the free transportation, pack all the necessities and go to a shelter.