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How to Help Jamaica Now

Smart Donations, Trusted Charities & Real Relief Options When you see devastating scenes from Hurricane Melissa hitting Jamaica — homes destroyed, communities flooded, families displaced — you want to help. But giving wisely matters. Not all help reaches where it’s needed, and some relief efforts never get through. This article will walk you through trusted charities, direct person-to-person giving, and alternative ways to send aid — making sure your support for Jamaica actually counts. Links Sources of the above information. Support RestartInJamaica.com Read more…

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Colorful scene of Jakarta port with ships and containers under a stunning sunset sky.

Jamaica Customs Fee Waiver After Hurricane Melissa

Why 30 Days Isn’t Enough for Real Recovery Jamaicans say 30 days of customs fee waiver after Hurricane Melissa isn’t enough. Here’s why extending the customs fee relief is key to recovery and rebuilding. Following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating landfall in Jamaica, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), under the direction of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), announced the suspension of Import Duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on selected relief items. The waiver runs from October 29 to November 28. Jamaica Gleaner+1 While this relief measure is an important step, many stakeholders argue that 30 days simply isn’t enough time for the full scale of recovery Jamaica now faces. Here are key reasons why. What Should Be Done? Final Thought Read more…

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Questions for the Jamaican Government

After Hurricane Melissa Heavy Disclaimer: Before I begin, I’m aware some of you are very sensitive when it comes to the topic of your favorite government officials and what the government should and shouldn’t do for the people they govern. To be clear, I’m not going to educate you on what the job of a government is, you can do that yourself if you truly care to learn. As we look at the devastation Hurricane Melissa has left behind, many Jamaicans are asking the hard but necessary questions. The storm has exposed not only the strength of nature, but the weaknesses in our systems — issues that cannot be ignored if we want true recovery and resilience. This isn’t just the opinion or assumptions of a few people, these are things experienced and seen first hand by many and it’s only the beginning. The Questions A Call for Accountability and Hope This isn’t about politics — it’s about people.The government, the private sector, and citizens must come together to build a Jamaica that learns from every storm. Asking questions isn’t rebellion; it’s responsibility. The people of Jamaica deserve answers, transparency, and respect for their endurance. Read more…

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Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica’s First Category 5

Living Through the Storm A Day with Hurricane Melissa As I’m writing this from Jamaica, the wind is howling like nothing I’ve heard before. The monster that is Hurricane Melissa — confirmed as a Category 5 storm — is bearing down on us with every forecasted element of disaster: destructive winds, torrential rain, storm surge, landslides. This is the highest possible classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and it is expected to make landfall in Jamaica imminently — as the strongest hurricane to ever hit our island. Here’s a first-hand perspective and a guide: what I’m doing, what I’m advising everyone else to do, and how I hope we’ll come together after the worst has passed. Some of what is mentioned below may not be possible for everyone and that is a hard truth about living in Jamaica. What is expected to be normal for certain parts of the world may not be available or accessible to most Jamaicans. Hopefully one day… What’s happening right now Safety Checklist: Before Hurricane Melissa Landfall What to Do Immediately After Hurricane Melissa Live Satellite & Tracking: Stay updated Support & Stay Connected Read more…

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