ST JAMES, Jamaica — World Central Kitchen (WCK) has served over one million hot meals across western Jamaica, providing vital relief to residents affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The disclosure was made by Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon, who was speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on November 20.

“St James has benefited significantly from that number, and we continue to look towards the World Central Kitchen for the assistance with persons in need right across the municipality,” he said.

Mayor Vernon commended the volunteers and donors for ensuring that the initiative continues.

“We encourage persons to continue to contribute to their initiative because it is serving a very good purpose for the greater good,” he stated.

World Central Kitchen is a non-profit organisation founded by celebrity chef José Andrés in 2010. Its mission is to provide fresh meals in the wake of natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other emergencies.

Unlike traditional aid organisations that may focus on long-term food distribution, WCK is known for rapid, on-the-ground responses, often setting up kitchens and working with local partners to feed affected communities immediately.

Turning to other matters, Vernon also provided updates on the reopening of Montego Bay’s tourism sector, a critical economic lifeline for the city.

“The baseline of our economic activity is tourism, and tourism nationally accounts for 30 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) and 25 per cent of employment. In Montego Bay, tourism accounts for over 50 per cent of our economic activity and over 50 per cent of employment,” he sai

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, gives remarks during a follow up meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (November 20). (JIS photo)

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He noted that hotels are being restored in an orderly and safe manner to ensure citizens regain employment.

“We met with Sandals yesterday, and they decided to keep all their staff. They will be paid their base [salary], and some will be paid gratuity, and that is a very good move. Other hotels that can do that, we encourage them to do so,” Vernon added.

He emphasised that the reopening of hotels and tourism facilities is critical for maintaining Montego Bay’s appeal to both cruise and airline visitors.

Vernon assured that recovery efforts will continue alongside economic revitalisation, aiming to restore Montego Bay as a vibrant and resilient tourism hub while meeting the immediate needs of residents.

— JIS