Commentary
December 9, 2025
Editorial | From Melissa to national renewal
After the massive destruction it caused in the west of the island in late October, the most powerful story of Hurricane Melissa is not bureaucratic. It is of something deeply human upon which Jamaica…
December 9, 2025
Editorial | Expand CDEMA’s footprint
Hurricane Melissa is a reminder of the vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness across the Caribbean. The devastation caused by this Category 5 storm in Jamaica makes a strong case for strengthening…
December 9, 2025
Dennis Zulu | Hurricane Melissa: Why coordination is the difference between chaos and recovery
As I reflect on the last three weeks since Hurricane Melissa tore through southwestern Jamaica with winds exceeding 260 km/h, one thing is clear, I can tell you with certainty: the difference between…
December 9, 2025
Tony Deyal | Three dogs and a cat
My first dogs were Devil and Blacks, and, because of his coat, my favourite dog was Rugs. My wife Indranie loves dogs coming and going. This is our story. Lovely Lucy, the most petite of our three…
December 9, 2025
Ronald Sanders | Hunger and war: The oldest crime the world still permits
The governments of the world’s powerful nations have learned to live with disregard for human suffering. That is the bleak truth behind a new UN report whose numbers should shame every leader or…
December 9, 2025
Shinique Walters | Establish disaster aid funding framework for communities
Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of widespread disruption, exposing the country’s deep vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Flooding, uprooted trees, damaged roofs, crops destroyed, bridges…
December 9, 2025
Garth Rattray | This is an opportunity to get it right
Western Jamaica and sections of middle Jamaica suffered unprecedented destruction due to category 5 Hurricane Melissa. The event has been described as catastrophic and even apocalyptic. The losses are…
December 9, 2025
Orville Taylor | Retrenchments and safety net
Thank God some of us still have roofs over our heads and accessible supplies of food and water. A privilege set have electricity, and doubtless, much to be grateful for. A long and slow recovery…
December 9, 2025
Christopher Burgess | Avoiding vulnerabilities in recovery
Hurricane Melissa revealed that Jamaica’s weakness is not only fragile coordination but fragile infrastructure. Empathy and equity must remain at the heart of the recovery process. As Jamaica moves…