This in response to an offer by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness during a recent visit to the storm ravaged area. Accompong Maroon Chief Richard Currie said the matter was discussed by the council, which decided that having the Jamaica Defence Force in the area, even as part of relief efforts would cause more trauma.

Over US$70000 has been allocated under the Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative (JARRI) to accelerate livelihood recovery for youth farmers, fisherfolk, as well as Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMES) severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The grant, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) multi-country office in Jamaica, is being channelled through the Jamaica 4-H Foundation 2016 Limited.

The Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, will provide various medical services, including surgeries to Jamaicans over the next few weeks, starting in St James, then in Kingston and Falmouth. The ship arrived at the Montego Bay cruise ship terminal, yesterday.

The call came from the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) and Jamaican Institute of Architects (JIA). In a joint statement, the groups noted that Hurricane Melissa left thousands of buildings, mostly homes destroyed or damaged.

A shipping container of hurricane relief supplies destined for Jamaica was stolen from a Mississauga storage unit in Canada on Tuesday night. The containers contained clothes, food ,tools and generators. According to CTV News, a police investigation is underway.