Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness commanded international attention as he spoke at session one of the Group of 20 (G20) Leadership Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. He described our country’s economic progress over recent years, then soberly declared: “Yet one external shock can undo years of progress. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has devastated seven parishes, its impact will negatively affect our debt trajectory and the road ahead will be challenging. This is our reality today. But it is also the recurring story of vulnerability told by small island developing states across Caricom”.

“Global partnerships will be essential to our recovery,” he said. “The G20 commitment in 2021 to recycle SDR [special drawing rights] allocations led to the creation of the IMF [International Monetary Fund] Resilience and Sustainability Trust. This facility provides developing countries with relatively low-cost financing and longer maturities. We urge the G20 to preserve and strengthen this mechanism.”

The rage of Hurricane Melissa was brought on by the warming of our oceans, producing steady 185mph winds and a 252mph wind gust, the highest ever recorded on Earth. Even as our little island is controlling the use of single-use plastics and promoting climate responsibility, we are at the mercy of developed countries whose priorities differ.

Therefore, our prime minister has rightfully appealed for “innovative, flexible financing solutions” and called on the G20 “to advance a rules-based, equitable global trading framework that enhances predictability, flexibility, and resilience for small economies.”

The sight of our devastated parishes and suffering people calls for a more compassionate and practical solution for the challenges facing small island developing states like Jamaica.

OUTPOURING OF CARE

In the days after Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica’s western and central parishes, the phones from every corner of the world did not stop ringing. International partners, friends, and relatives were calling to see how they could help with hurricane recovery. Celebrities like Spice, Romeich, Shaggy, and Sean Paul have stepped up to give significant aid to their fellow Jamaicans.

Donations have been growing: Over US$500,000 to the Government’s site; US$5.8 million to Food For the Poor; and American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has raised US$2.5 million and an additional $2 million in further matching funds which includes contributions from Chris Hohn, Danny and Paula Wegman, and the Al Dwoskin Family Foundation.

Jamaican American Sheldon Lyn and his family decided they had to return to their home parish of St Elizabeth. Lyn and family prepared food and learning packages for the Catholic Church in Magotty, Breadnut Valley, and areas of Savanna-la-Mar. “Overall, it has been an energizing trip,” he exulted. “One man told me he doesn’t even want to see anyone bringing free food anymore…What he wants now are seeds for fast-growing crops like tomatoes, callaloo, and sweet peppers. His farm in the Burnt Savannah area was wiped out. Most of his house is gone. The only clothes he owns are the ones on his back. And yet the fire in him to rise again was unmistakable,” he said.

FOCUS ON THE ELDERLY

As our CCRP convoy journeyed to the West, kindly escorted by officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, nothing could have prepared us for the scarred landscape, the flattened or roofless dwellings, the sadness of the homeless folks sheltering at the Petersfield High School. Reverend Johnson and his wife along with Donna-Marie Gordon of the Wesleyan Church assisted with the distribution of the care packages created for the elderly.

Delivering our packages to the office of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), we were impressed with team members Lativa Shaw, Odette Coates, and Marlon McBean who collected and reported on deliveries.

There is no praise great enough for Cassandra Morrison, executive director of the NCSC. Night and day she was in touch with our team, sharing how the thousands of packages for the elderly, including those from CCRP, were delivered through every part of seven parishes, some dropped by the Jamaica Defence Force helicopters to marooned areas.

Thank goodness for CCRP parish representatives, all voluntary, who have been covering ground in St Elizabeth, Trelawny, and St James. CCRP representative Joan Martin has distributed to Malvern, Stanmore, Retirement, and other surrounding districts. LaRonda Robinson and the Breds Foundation Women’s Group have distributed our packages to Treasure Beach, Flagaman, Beacon and Top Newcombe Valley.

CCRP’s Rosalee Lewis has partnered with NCSC for distribution in Trelawny. She also journeyed to Catherine Hall, Westgate in St James, and to an elderly amputee in St Mary to deliver our donations. Taina Lowe-Williams, Ria Williams, and Richard Lowrie have been distributing their own care packages and those from CCRP throughout the parish.

TOURISM RISING

We have an example of great leadership in the tourism industry from Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart who has been supporting and reassuring his staff members as they gear for the upcoming winter season.

Miraculously, the hotels on the seven-mile beach and the Hanover coastline have been mostly spared; however, the challenge is getting workers back on their feet to have the resort areas up and running again.

Jamaica Observer writer Horace Hines quoted the forward-thinking Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett who addressed tourism workers last week: “We are recovering, and no one will be left behind…A new chapter is being written — not just in Jamaica’s history, but in all our lives. And that chapter will conclude with a statement of resilience, strength, and renewal.”

STILL HOPE FOR REGGAE BOYZ

We were all so attuned to a win for our Reggae Boyz as they took on the tiny country of Curacao at our National Stadium last week that their defeat left a pall over Jamaica. There have been accusations and speculation around the effectiveness of Head Coach Steve McClaren, who resigned a few hours after the match, and the oversight of the Jamaica Football Federation.

Gracious as ever, Captain Andre Blake said, “Thank you, the support was unreal…As the leader of this group, we have failed to deliver and missed out on a massive opportunity…and for that I am really sorry.”

Former Assistant Coach Rudolph Speid has been appointed interim coach. As technical director of Cavalier, he has taken them to Premier League and regional victories. Let us hope for the best as they take another path to the World Cup, which requires them to win matches against New Caledonia and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Go for it, Reggae Boyz!

CONGRATULATIONS STGC HONOREES

Named in honour of the phenomenal Monsignor Gladstone Wilson, an annual award is given to graduates of St George’s College who have distinguished themselves in successful careers and outreach at their alma mater and beyond. Congratulations to worthy recipients Donovan Chen-See, Lyndon Latore, and Lennox Robinson, excellent role models for young Georgians.

Kudos also to Principal Margaret Campbell, who thanked her faculty for their dedication to the academic progress of St George’s College, which scored several top grades in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

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

Prime Minister of Jamaica Dr Andrew Holness (left) being greeted by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola at the start of the G20 Summit recently. 

Thousands of care packages from various donors were delivered to victims in the worst-affected parishes. (Garfield Robinson)