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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Sunday, 2 November 2025

Jamaicans Are Appreciative of The Help From Our Partners

Press Release From ODPEM - November 2, 2025

The Government of Jamaica, through its National Disaster Management Agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM), is pleased to announce a streamlined process for international donor organisations to import goods to support the country’s disaster humanitarian relief efforts.

International donors and charitable organizations can now jointly consign shipments through ODPEM/Charitable Organization. This will enable clearance and release of goods duty-free directly to the charitable organization without unnecessary delays at the port of entry. This will greatly enhance the government's distribution of humanitarian relief to the hundreds of thousands of suffering Jamaicans.

For goods consigned to ODPEM and the international organization, the documents should read, e.g., "Red Cross/ODPEM or ODPEM for Red Cross. This process will allow these international organizations to have immediate access to the items being donated and the efficient distribution of the relief items.

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Bermudians Will Not Be Left Out In Supporting Jamaica

The US Government Is Playing Its Part

Approximately 50 disaster relief volunteers from the United States (US) arrived in the island on Thursday (October 30) to provide relief and recovery assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which brought with them essential packages, equipment and search and rescue dogs, will bolster local efforts in assessing damage and coordinating assistance.

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who met the team on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, said that Jamaica is grateful for the assistance.

“I am understanding that there is many more to come, including a number of assets, meaning helicopter assets, that can act as hospitals and also search and rescue and distribution,” he said.

“It been 36 hours since the hurricane, so we are moving as fast as possible, but obviously, logistics are always a challenge in the height and aftermath of a disaster, but this has given me great reassurance that the world loves us, loves Jamaica and obviously is going to do everything to help us to rebuild as quickly as possible,” he added.

Chargé d'Affaires at US Embassy in Jamaica, Scott Renner, said his government and his country stand with the people of Jamaica.

“This is the first concrete example of [our support]. We are sending in not only aid on this plane but also search and rescue experts,” he said.

“We are here to help the people of Jamaica recover from this devastating hurricane,” Mr. Renner said.

For her part, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, thanked the international community for all of their assistance.

“There are many more to come and the Government is doing everything we can to get to the communities that have been marooned and to get food and critical supplies to them,” she said.

JIS Press Release - The St. James Municipal Corporation, October 31

The St. James Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with key agencies, has intensified relief and response efforts across the parish following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has entered the execution phase of its response plan, focusing on restoring access, assessing damage, and delivering assistance to residents.

“We have been coordinating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Councillors, and the Poor Relief Department to collate the information we are receiving from communities about persons who have suffered losses, from minor damage to total destruction,” he explained.

“Once we get that information together, we will be treating the list accordingly so that we can deliver supplies and medical assistance to those in need,” he noted.

The Mayor said that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has been providing crucial logistical and operational support on the ground.

“They are helping us to coordinate what is happening, dispatching supplies, and assisting other agencies to reach citizens,” he noted.

He informed that some areas, such as John’s Hall, have been severely affected, with sections of roadways completely washed away. “Some roads are gone; we will probably need bridges for some of these sections. There are still areas that are completely flooded,” he said. The Mayor further reported that access to some shelters was temporarily lost due to blocked roadways, but teams are being deployed to clear those areas. “We will have more information, as teams are clearing roadways leading to the shelters so that we can get a better understanding of their condition and the state of the persons inside,” he added.

The Mayor commended the resilience of residents and the coordinated efforts of the agencies involved.

“We are responding to the needs of our citizens and ensuring that relief reaches those most affected. Montego Bay will recover stronger, and we will be in a better state at the end of this experience,” he said.

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Send donations for the Melissa victims using this site:

https://SupportJamaica.gov.jm/Donate.

Please share this blog with this important information.

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Reports will be sent to the relevant agencies.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

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Jamaicans Offering Help To Melissa Victims - Join The Line To Help

Mark Kerr-Jarrett

Help is coming for the people affected by the hurricane, Melissa, but I appeal to these people to be patient. Those who followed my post knew I picked up early in the day that there was trouble ahead. My first post was on October 18 about Melissa. It was a weather disturbance then called Invest 98L

Bark Di Trute was used to keep people informed about weather conditions. Approximately 50 bulletins were distributed. Bark Di Trute sent out a final warning message from Dr Barbara Carby, former Head of ODPEM. Thanks to the support from ODPEM and the Meteorological Office, and all those who gave me moral support.

What is interesting is that some people have suffered damage, and they are trying to help others. Let me identify one such person—Mr. Mark Kerr-Jarrett, a Montego Bay businessman. He bought a truck of water and had it delivered to the Mary Wildish Church in Montego Bay for distribution. Operation Blessing is installing a water filtration system and will provide 5,000 meals a day. Mr Kerr-Jarrett says the response has been amazing.

Mr Kerr Jarrett says that there is an urgent need for water, food, tarpaulins, and rope to hold down the tarpaulins. If you are willing to help, indicate this by sending me a WhatsApp message at (876) 816-5261

Some people have lost their homes, and they have nowhere to sleep or anything to eat. I appeal to these people to please exercise patience. This is a catastrophe, and for the fact that you have survived, you should be thankful.

Already, tempers are boiling, and some people are blaming our politicians. The government has to seriously consider instituting a state of emergency to ensure that there are no challenges in this time of adversity.

Climate change is real, and with the warming of the waters in the Caribbean, we can expect more Category 6, 7, or 8 hurricanes in the future. We must take care of this earth and pray to God to take care of us.

Please note that the Melissa death toll is now at 28.

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Send donations for the Melissa victims using this site:

https://SupportJamaica.gov.jm/Donate.

Please share this blog with this important information.

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Reports will be sent to the relevant agencies.

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Click the icon below and join a group of people who want to learn more about the prostate and prostate cancer.

Click here and listen to the plans to assist Jamaica.

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Subscribe Now!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
Make a financial donation now.
Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

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Friday, 31 October 2025

World Scrambling Over One Another To Assist Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa Devastation

International help has started to pour into Jamaica. We should remember the assistance we got from various countries to get JPS back in business when Gilbert passed through this country. The streets of Kingston were pitch dark at nightfall.

While other countries will assist initially, we all have to pick up the slack when the focus is not on us. There are a number of things that our planners will need to look at. Where should we locate our cities? Future cities must be well planned. How do we construct buildings for an earthquake zone and an area known for hurricanes? With climate change, Category 5 hurricanes could be the new norm. We will have to check the soil to find out if it is appropriate to build at a location.

While the focus has been on the severely devastated areas such as Black River, I am getting reports of damage across the island. I understand that the the New Castle Road is no more. There are also reports of damage in Bull Bay.

Remember to send your Melissa reports via WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

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Reports will be sent to the relevant agencies.

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Click the icon below and join a group of people who want to learn more about the prostate and prostate cancer.