We Jamaicans are not sleeping well. It does not matter if we had a direct hit from Hurricane Melissa or not. We are hurting because our Jamaican family is hurting.

The criticisms have been rife regarding the speed of relief, but never before had a catastrophe of this proportion been visited upon our tiny rock. As diligent as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and our first responders are, this blow was dizzying. Note also that despite the pleas of government officials for people to move to shelters, many remained in vulnerable areas.

The videos coming out of the west have been distressing: marooned citizens are still crying out for help; parents clutching toddlers, dazed by the surrounding bedlam; and one little girl walked down two steps, the only recognisable part of her flattened house, showing the spaces which spoke of a once comfortable way of life.

We applaud the announcement from Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon that tents may be set up as temporary classrooms. An experienced educator explained that at primary school age even one year lost can be extremely damaging to academic progress. “Even in Gaza these schools were set up,” she said. “Let us draw on the experts to help us get these going.”

Journalist Dave Rodney shared the good news that the Savanna-la-Mar library stood up to Melissa. Even the books stayed dry. As small children my sister and I spent many after-school hours at that library. I can never overemphasise the importance of reading, and I hope that those libraries spared can be used as homework centres or temporary classrooms. When digital devices fail, there are always books, so let us encourage a love of reading to help our children to cope.

Food For the Poor has been collaborating with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), government agencies, and international non-governmental organisations to distribute generous donations of food, water, and hygiene products as quickly as possible. Andrew Williams, CEO of Regency Petroleum, has donated a temporary warehouse at Paradise in Westmoreland to assist in delivering urgent help in the parish.

Now that we have tons of food and water, kindly provided by Jamaicans and our international friends, there is a call for tarpaulins, tools, building materials, solar-powered lamps, and mini-generators so survivors can restore some level of normality to their living conditions. Jamaicans are some of the smartest, most skilful people. If they get these basics, they can help themselves and speed up recovery. To those who wish to assist Jamaica, please bear these needs in mind.

Lessons learnt

Hurricane Melissa has been the toughest teacher. ODPEM was no slouch in sending out warnings and preparedness tips. However, Hurricane Melissa would have been a gut punch for even the most experienced on its team. I was surprised to hear that the shelter managers hired by ODPEM were all volunteers. I believe there should be some way to compensate them after the shelters are closed.

There should be a special preparedness programme for first responders and health personnel, many of whom suffered serious damage during the hurricane. Their homes should be inspected and their families well supplied so that they can go about their emergency response worry-free.

However, given the enormity of relief demands, we should trust the prime minister’s decision to second Commander Alvin Gayle to the post of director general of ODPEM. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, “Commander Gayle is a seasoned military officer with over two decades of service in the Jamaica Defence Force, where he has held key leadership roles, including Executive Officer at the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, Commanding Officer of the First District Coast Guard, and Commandant of the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre. He brings extensive experience in operational planning, crisis management, maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention, and risk management. His training also includes Maritime Disaster Prevention, Industrial Firefighting and Crew Endurance and Risk Management, equipping him with the skills to manage complex emergency operations and build national resilience.”

We certainly need these skills as the very lives of the hurricane survivors are in the balance.

Climate Justice

Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive officer of Jamaica Environment Trust, has led the call from 42 other local civil society organisations demanding measures for climate justice. The joint statement noted: “Hurricane Melissa was not a natural disaster — it was a profound manifestation of climate injustice. Its unprecedented strength and rapid intensification were a direct consequence of global warming caused by fossil fuel dependence, corporate greed, and decades of political inaction. Our communities, those least responsible for this climate crisis, are now paying the highest price.”

The groups are urging strong leadership from Jamaica and other attendees at COP30, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties, being held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10-21. This annual summit plans actions to address climate crisis and adaptation measures guided by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author and executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.