Caribbean News
LARGE TURNOUT OF STUDENTS AT SCHOOLS IN TRELAWNY
MONTEGO BAY, September 5. 2024 – Schools across Trelawny saw a large turnout of students ready to embrace the new academic year, despite ongoing repairs to some institutions that were damaged by Hurricane Beryl.
Schools across the country have been divided into three priorities by the Ministry of Education and Youth, in an effort to facilitate timely restoration.
Priority One schools, which are the most severely damaged, must be fully repaired and ready before the school year starts. Priority Two and Three schools can continue to be repaired while classes are in session.
In an interview with JIS News on Monday (September 2), Provisional Principal, Unity Primary and Infant school in Bunkers Hill, Marilyn Salmon, said despite damage to the school’s infrastructure, contingency plans put in place have proven effective.
“As you may see, our roof has been lifted… . Unfortunately, it could not be done within the allotted time based on the level of work that needs to be done,” she said.
“But we have in place a contingency plan, which you might see taking place here now. We have our grade-one students being housed
in a different compartment that is not really the grade-one room, and so forth,” she added.
Ms. Salmon explained that as part of the contingency plan, the school has strategically combined classes where necessary and that teachers have been utilising outdoor spaces creatively to continue lessons.
“And teachers have had classes underneath trees since morning, and of course, the students are loving it,” she said.
Ms. Salmon also noted that while the school’s canteen is currently non-operational, alternative food options have been arranged for the students.
“We also have some electrical concerns, and those are under repairs also,” the Principal said.
For his part, Principal at Falmouth All-Age, Kirk Spencer, said the infrastructure at his institution also suffered damage, adding that despite a few challenges in obtaining materials, repair work continues.
“The contractor indicated that there were some issues with regard to procuring the materials. But he has pointed out that the work should be completed within a week. So, we are hoping that there are no further delays,” he said.
Mr. Spencer also added that they too have contingency plans in place due to not being as fully staffed as they had intended to be.
“We are not fully staffed, but we are adequately staffed. We would have received a resignation just a few days before school reopened, so that class will be manned by our vice-principal,” he said.
Despite the ongoing repairs, parents remain confident in the schools’ leadership and their commitment to providing quality education.
Parent at Falmouth All-Age School, Fiona Thomas, expressed her confidence in the institution, saying she expects nothing but the best for her child.
“As I entrust my child to this school, I am hoping and praying for the best,” she told JIS News.
Contact: Natalia Dixon
Release: JIS Montego Bay
Caribbean News
Only 34 Percent funding in place to support 170,000 Haitians Displaced by Crisis says UN
Garfield Ekon
Staff Writer
September 20, 2024 – The United Nations (UN) Tuesday expressed continued concern at the number of families being displaced in the Haitian capital of Port au Prince due to the ongoing violence and criminal activities in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country.
Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told the daily media briefing that the latest clashes between armed groups in the neighborhoods of Cité Soleil and Delmas displaced more than 2,000 people last week and “that is just in two days between September 11 and 13”.
“More than 170,000 people are now displaced in the capital. While most of them are staying with host families, three new temporary sites have sprung up,” Dujarric told reporters, adding “we and our partners in Haiti continue to support people in need across the country, including by providing food, water and sanitation, as well as health care support”.
He said that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also continues to distribute blankets, solar lamps and kitchen kits to displaced people and that with the new school year approaching, the World Food Programme (WFP) plans to provide school meals to 495,000 children.
Dujarric said many of these meals will be sourced from local smallholder farmers.
The UN said that the US$674 million Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti is currently only 39 per cent funded with US$263 million actually received.
“We continue to call for increased support for the humanitarian response to help the Haitian people,” Dujarric said.
Over the past several months, more than 380 Kenyan personnel have arrived in the country to support the Haitian National Police (NPH) in a United Nations sanctioned Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to restore peace and security and dealing with criminal gangs and other undesirables.
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (September 18th, 2024) – The Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation (CWCF) is pleased to announce a US$50,000 grant to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, aimed at supporting the restoration of computer labs in primary and secondary schools across Union Island, Canouan Island, and Mayreau Island.
This initiative will directly benefit over seven hundred students, providing them with essential resources to aid in their educational development following the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl.
The grant will fund the purchase of new computers and related accessories, helping to re-establish a vital part of the students’ learning environments. The computer labs were severely damaged during the hurricane, disrupting digital learning and access to educational tools.
“Our partnership with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting the long-term recovery of communities across the Caribbean. Supporting the re-establishment of these computer labs will not only restore learning spaces but also provide students with the digital tools necessary for their education and future growth,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, C&W Communications.
“The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl disrupted education and digital access in many schools. With this grant, we are not just restoring infrastructure, but we are also providing hope and the opportunity for students to continue their learning journey in a rapidly evolving digital era.”
The restoration efforts will play a critical role in empowering students on these islands, ensuring they have access to modern learning technologies and can continue their education despite the challenges posed by natural disasters.
The Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation remains dedicated to its mission of supporting disaster relief, education, and digital inclusion projects across the Caribbean, positively impacting the lives of individuals and communities in need.
KINGSTON, September 18 (JIS): National Housing Trust (NHT) contributors and mortgagors affected by Hurricane Beryl are being reminded to apply for the organisation’s post-hurricane peril moratorium by September 30.
Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Dwayne Berbick, told JIS News that the newly introduced initiative is designed to offer financial relief to those who experience property damage or economic hardship as a result of natural disasters.
Under this arrangement, eligible individuals can temporarily suspend their monthly mortgage payments, which is crucial support during the recovery process.
The duration of the moratorium is tailored to individual circumstances, with a maximum period of up to six months.
“We understand that life happens, and circumstances of individuals may change from time to time. The NHT has made special resources available for individuals who are making applications for any of our [relief] initiatives. We are looking out for them, and we will expedite the applications to ensure that the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible,” Mr. Berbick said.
The NHT’s special mortgage moratorium is accessible to all affected parties, including those who have previously benefited from other NHT Loan facilities.
Mr. Berbick underscored that this inclusive approach will ensure that everyone who needs assistance can receive it.
Applicants are required to complete an application form and submit a valid government-issued identification and Tax Registration Number, along with additional documents where applicable. These include photographs of property damage, proof of reduced income, or proof of unemployment.
Mr. Berbick is urging all eligible individuals to act promptly to secure the support they need.
The post-hurricane peril moratorium forms part of the NHT’s wider strategy to provide relief and support to contributors and mortgagors during challenging times. Other initiatives include the Special Home Improvement Loan and Disaster Grant.
For more information on how to apply for this or other relief options, persons can visit the nearest NHT office or the entity’s website at www.nht.gov.jm.
CONTACT: ROCHEDA BARTLEY
PHOTO CAPTION: Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the National Housing Trust, Dwayne Berbick.
Photo: Adrian Walker
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