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HOURS of lashing on Tuesday from Hurricane Melissa at Category 5 strength has left up to four dead in Jamaica, while 25 fatalities were reported in Haiti and one person was killed in the Dominican Republic. The world is now rallying behind Haiti and Jamaica, where Melissa wreaked the most havoc on the -island’s western side. As images of the monster storm’s destruction emerged yesterday from the home of reggae, especially in the St Elizabeth region, efforts to gather aid and render assistance to rebuild were intensified globally and locally. With winds up to 280 kilometres per hour and recorded as one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the Caribbean, Melissa caused catastrophic flooding in some areas, and wiped out trees and power lines. Parts of St Elizabeth were, up to yesterday, still cut off by landslides and dams formed of mud and debris across roadways. Assessments up to late yesterday still did not show the extent of Melissa’s savagery on homes and communities, with dozens of roofs ripped clean off, houses -flooded, and vehicles swept away and crush-ed by the force of floodwaters. Scenes of destruction Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday vowed that his government will focus on a “strong recovery”, as he toured Melissa’s aftermath and cited scenes of “destruction”. The T&T Government, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has stated its intention to help its Caricom neighbour in any way possible, while non-governmental organisations, regional corporations, religious bodies, the business sector and individuals have ramped up appeals for non--perishable food items, clothing, pharmaceuticals and personal care items, and -construction materials for -donation to Jamaica. The United States Department of State also indicated that country’s support early yesterday, advising of the deployment of a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Caribbean countries impacted by Melissa. The US also pledged activated US-based Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to bolster response efforts on the ground. The US Department of State said in a release that these teams are working with affected countries and local communities to determine what assistance was needed; and with inter-agency, international and American military partners to coordinate emergency response efforts. Social media and international coverage of the disaster yesterday showed mobilisation among the West Indian diaspora to rush to Jamaica’s aid, as well as calls by international NGOs for donations and volunteers. Calls for aid to Haiti were also being made, where Melissa claimed the lives of 25 people, international media including CNN reported up to late yesterday. Melissa also lashed Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, before heading towards the Bahamas yesterday. Heartbreaking devastation In a statement yesterday evening via social media, Holness stated that following a tour of the damage, including aerial tours, devastation in the St Elizabeth area was “truly heartbreaking”. “The strength, resilience and determination of the people of St Elizabeth are already shining through as they focus on recovery,” Holness said. He added that “this government stands with the people of St Elizabeth as we rebuild together”. Holness called yesterday “day one of recovery”, stating: “Jamaica, we are strong and we will get through this.” He reassured “every Jamaican” and especially those in the Western parishes, that their government stands firmly with them. He had stated early yesterday that no deaths were confirmed; however, international news outlets were reporting that up to four people died in the lead-up to and during Melissa’s landfall on Tuesday. Holness said recovery will take time and relief resources would be directed where they were most needed. He called on Jamaicans to “hold strong”, as that government issued the “all clear” to the public following passage of the hurricane. Holness stated on CNN late Tuesday that some north-western parts of the island were also impacted, overall citing significant damage to infrastructure, including hospitals and state buildings, residences and housing and commercial property. Road infrastructure also saw damage, said Holness, who had declared Jamaica a disaster area as Melissa barrelled towards the northern Caribbean island on Monday. In Haiti, AP up to late yesterday reported that 18 people remained missing, particularly in a southern coastal town where flooding caused dozens of homes to collapse. T&T joins aid efforts Social media was busy yesterday with calls for aid donations for Jamaica and Haiti from concerned groups and citizens in T&T. Collaborative efforts were also under way involving the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the T&T Defence Force, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, to rally resources to assist response efforts in Jamaica’s hardest hit areas. Local NGOs, including SEWA TT and Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC), yesterday rallied the public for aid supplies, including for women’s -sanitary products. Blue Mountain Trinidad has pledged bottled water supplies, and also ran a public collection drive. Response Caribbean, a network of various organisations including local groups ITNAC and Faith Fight, activated locally and in the region with “Response Jamaica”, seeking financial donations and food and medical supplies. Business chambers in T&T also mobilised, including the Joint Chambers of Amcham T&T, the Energy Chamber, the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the T&T Manufacturers Association. Regional corporations in T&T also stepped up, opening their offices for the collection of canned goods, water and other disaster -relief supplies. Councillor Adrian Ali was among those spearheading a donation drive from yesterday, with drop-off at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Calling on the public to “help Jamaica recover from Melissa”, Ali sought donations of food and water, as well as construction materials and cleaning supplies. The Penal/Debe Regional Corporation acknowledged that Jamaica on Tuesday faced one of the most devastating hurricanes in the region’s history, and is also taking donations until next Monday. Jamaica has also gained huge international support with billionaire philanthropist Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, pledging US$2.5 million.
