Commentary

A Grade 2 student of Shichigo Elementary School, Sendai, completes a form on disaster preparedness. On the desk is a poster of the route they take to get home. On the Stick-it notes are the suggestions given by students.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Emulate international disaster risk-reduction best practices

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to hit Jamaica, has exposed the vulnerabilities of the country’s disaster preparedness and planning. The storm uncovered gaps in planning, coordination…
Rising water levels in Content in Williamsfield, Manchester, which inundated homes and business establishments.
December 9, 2025

Simon Mitchell | Post-Hurricane Melissa flooding in Jamaica – an explanation

There is a lot of news speculation about rising flood waters in areas such as Content and New Market, where flood waters have begun rising since the passage of Hurricane Melissa across the island in…
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett
December 9, 2025

Tony Deyal | Truth about dump and shallow brute

Jasmine Crockett, a 44-year-old American lawyer, focusing on legislation to improve the lives of everyday working people, said about Trump, the 47th President of the United States (US) made it clear,…
Michael Taylor
December 9, 2025

Michael Taylor | From the weight of waiting to the agony of the aftermath

I first wrote these reflections while we were still waiting for Hurricane Melissa to make landfall – a nation caught between forecasts and fear. Now that it has passed, and the resulting devastation…
This photo shows a house damaged by Hurricane Melissa in New Works, Westmoreland.
December 9, 2025

Audrey Hinchcliffe | Cleaning and sanitisation critical after Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa’s disastrous effects on people, homes, businesses and communities heighten our awareness of the need for cleaning and sanitisation as an integral part of recovery. Foremost on our…
Comments
December 9, 2025

Garth Rattray | Mental-health challenges after Hurricane Melissa

Although Hurricane Melissa tore a destructive path through the west of Jamaica and caused disruption across most of the island, every Jamaican - here and in the diaspora - was badly affected by its…
Comments
December 9, 2025

Orville Taylor | Protecting the protectors

Just imagine that your mother is a doctor, on the frontline in the middle of a pandemic or national emergency, while her family is left wanting. Worse, while fighting to save the lives of many,…
Houses and vehicles are seen submerged at Gibson Close, off Ward Avenue in Mandeville, following Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Housing Melissa’s victims

Letter writer, Pastor Daniel Singh’s, suggestion that Jamaica lean on cruise shippers to use their vessels to temporarily accommodate people displaced by Hurricane Melissa is unlikely to gain…
Food For The Poor Jamaica team members arrange packages and emergency supplies to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025

Peter Espeut | Doing the little we can

Last Wednesday, the same happy crew as last week (with two additions) journeyed to the west with relief supplies for some of those affected by the winds and rain of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. This…