Opposition Spokesperson on Rural and Community Development, Dr Kenneth Russell is calling on the Government to declare the prevailing drought a national emergency and mobilise an extraordinary response across affected parishes, as prolonged dry conditions take an increasingly severe toll on rural communities.

“This is an unfolding emergency, especially for rural Jamaica. Farmers are watching crops wither, livestock suffer and livelihoods disappear, while families struggle to find enough water for their most basic needs,” Dr Russell said.

He warned that drought destroys quietly, field by field, farm by farm, but the economic and human damage is just as devastating as more visible disasters.

Dr Russell said the crisis is especially dangerous for rural Jamaica, where poverty and food insecurity are already deeply concentrated. He cited UN estimates that more than half of all Jamaicans face moderate or severe food insecurity, a burden felt hardest in rural communities already struggling with reliable water access.

For farmers, he said, the losses go beyond the current crop: food meant for households is gone, income-generating crops and animals are gone, and with staples such as yams and potatoes, valuable planting material is lost, leaving many unable to replant when rains return.

Dr Russell described government provision for rural communities as woefully inadequate, citing insufficient black tanks, poor community water storage, and a shortage of certified trucks slowing delivery despite allocated funding.

He also warned of rising public-health risks, including dehydration and sanitation-related illness, particularly for children and older persons.

Dr Russell called for a coordinated national response, including expanded water-trucking capacity, emergency black tanks, relief and planting material for farmers, and targeted social protection through PATH for vulnerable households.

“While Minister Samuda does his rain dance, he must also mobilise the resources of the State and get relief to our people now,” he said.