Jamaica in Crisis as Hurricane Melissa continues to wreak havoc across the island, leaving at least 19 people dead and thousands more in urgent need of help. Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon confirmed the death toll as rescue operations and relief efforts continue amid widespread devastation. The storm, one of the strongest ever to hit the Caribbean, has also claimed at least 30 lives in neighboring Haiti. In Jamaica, entire communities remain isolated and flattened, especially across the western regions where destruction is at its worst. Power remains out for most of the country, and thousands of residents are battling floodwaters, mud, and debris to recover what little remains of their homes. Clean water is running low, food supplies are dwindling, and frustration among survivors continues to rise as aid struggles to reach remote areas.
While Kingston’s main airport is operational again, smaller regional airports closer to disaster zones are only partially open. Aid convoys are facing massive delays as blocked roads and fallen trees make transportation nearly impossible. What should be a one-hour journey between Mandeville and Black River now takes eight hours due to torn-up roads and landslides. Military vehicles are doing their best to deliver essential goods, but many communities remain completely cut off. On the drive towards Black River, scenes of devastation are everywhere. Roads are ripped apart, houses stand roofless, and residents work tirelessly to patch what remains. One survivor, Olivia Cream, lost her seaside home during the hurricane and took shelter in a neighbor’s attic as waves and winds tore through the area. When she returned, almost everything was gone her home reduced to rubble, leaving her and many others struggling to survive. Hurricane
Jamaica in Crisis: Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction and Despair
In the nearby town of Santa Cruz, the stench of fuel and mud fills the air as people clear debris, pump out water, and try to rebuild. Families with small children sleep outdoors, lacking food and shelter. Residents describe the destruction as resembling a war zone, with entire neighborhoods washed away. Further west, people remain disconnected from their loved ones as fallen trees and debris block every major road. Communication lines are down, and satellite images reveal near-total destruction in some villages. From Kingston to Montego Bay, the once lush, green landscape now resembles a barren wasteland of broken homes and splintered trees. In neighboring Haiti, floods from overflowing rivers have caused additional casualties, while over 15,000 people are taking refuge in shelters. In Cuba, more than 3 million residents were exposed to dangerous conditions, but early evacuations saved countless lives despite widespread flooding and landslides. Hurricane
MOST READ : Trump and Xi Resume Talks: What It Means for Trade and TikTok
International aid is now pouring in. The World Food Programme is coordinating logistics and emergency assistance across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The United States has deployed a disaster response team to support rescue efforts and deliver food, water, and medical aid. The United Kingdom has pledged an additional £5 million to provide shelter kits, solar-powered lanterns, and supplies to those without electricity or safe housing. As the cleanup begins, Jamaica in Crisis stands as a powerful reminder of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the urgent need for global action to support recovery and resilience.
SOURCE: BBC
