Whole Community: Caribbean Stories - International Day for Persons with Disability Dec. 3. Caribbean Disability Network (CDN).

Caribbean Island, Cuba, and Haiti members and partners

 

Your participation needed as a member of the whole community.  A community member at the table with a voice.

 

BEMA International

 

Dear Partners,   The Caribbean Disability Network (CDN) will be amplifying the stories of persons with disabilities across the Caribbean region on December 3, 2025, in recognition of International Day for Persons with Disabilities.   As a valued member of the Network, we kindly invite you to share information on the activities and stories in your country being organized to commemorate this important day.    We also have a dedicated segment for network members who are not affiliated with an organization.   We ask that all participants register using the link below:   🔗 Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rMQl3TqISBiBoe71reRPtg Thank you for your willingness to participate. We look forward to working together to enhance awareness and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities throughout the Caribbean. Best regards, Andrew Sharpe Chairman Authentic Caribbean Foundation

Via ZOOM  08:00 am Opening Plenary.     TIME: Eastern Caribbean Time              Meeting ID: 891 2892 1315             Password: 527057             Dial in (Emergency) 1 646 558 8656            Moderators – Andrew Sharpe            Host: Caribbean Disability Network Authentic Caribbean Foundation (ACF): http://www.authenticcaribbeanfoundation.org/ Caribbean Disability Network (CDN):  https://www.facebook.com/p/Caribbean-Disability-Network-61574863651657/?checkpoint_src=any

 

Situational Awareness. A vision. Jamaica. UNDP mobilizes initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants for Jamaica November 2025

Ron,

Before I read the entire article.  I know your work.  The ability to work from top-down and bottom-up in the community.  Both you and Elizabeth making a difference.

UNDP, CDEMA and member nations changing the paradigm for the sustainability and survival of Caribbean, and global communities.

Respectfully,

CDS

https://timescaribbeanonline.com/undp-mobilizes-initial-usd-2-million-in-resilient-recovery-grants-for-jamaica/ UNDP mobilizes initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants for Jamaica Posted on November 26, 2025 in General News Kingston|24 November 2025 – An initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants have been mobilized for Jamaica’s hurricane recovery effort by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to restore community life and livelihoods and to support the national vision for a resilient recovery. The new grants have emerged on the heels of a recent surge mission to Jamaica by UNDP’s global and regional crisis response and recovery teams, working with UNDP’s Multi-Country Office in Jamaica to identify national and local needs through consultations with government, civil society, private sector, multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, and local communities in critically affected areas.  This process benefited from the lead role of Mr. Ronald Jackson, UNDP Global Head of Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery and Resilience. UNDP’s offer is designed to help stabilize affected communities, restore livelihoods of vulnerable groups and support national authorities and key sectors in Jamaica’s ‘Building Forward Better’ vision, integrating resilience at every step. At the national level, UNDP is offering support to Jamaica’s long term recovery planning and governance along with some key data to support it – post hurricane national impact assessments, focusing on a root cause analysis and human impacts “Crises can be opportunities to build forward better,” said Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative in Jamaica. “To this end, we offer to enhance institutional capacities and systems for recovery, and to integrate climate-resilient, risk-informed and nature-based solutions into recovery planning. Future plans can also embrace the role of geospatial and digital tools and aim to make development assets future proof in an era of more frequent and severe climate disasters.” UNDP’s offer targeting community stabilization includes clean up and management of debris – estimated at 4.8 million metric tonnes across impacted areas – as well as recycling opportunities through cash for work modalities ensuring income for jobless residents and easier access to affected communities by national relief teams, he explained. It also prioritizes support for the recovery of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and community livelihoods. UNDP will provide grants and hands on technical support to MSMEs to restore their facilities, connect to markets and access sustainable finance solutions such as loan guarantees, low-interest credit and other instruments. UNDP will also support solar power, resilient re-roofing and other critical community infrastructure needs. Additionally, based on previous experience in the aftermath of category five hurricanes in 2017 in Dominica and 2021 in The Bahamas, mobile and community-based Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) will provide on-the-spot advice to affected communities, combined with resilience grants to help communities integrate resilient methods into their build back process, ensuring better odds to weather future storms. “These storms are no longer ‘once in a lifetime’. They are becoming the new baseline. Even countries that plan well are being tested by hurricanes more powerful, unpredictable and punishing than what our systems are perhaps built for, said Ronald Jackson. This initial UNDP Resilient Recovery grant assistance of USD 2 million for Jamaica builds on UNDPs immediate crisis response allocations, and generous contributions from the CARICOM Development Fund and the European Union. Grant assistance of an additional USD 8 million is also being considered, through the realignment of resources from UNDP’s ongoing development programmes in Jamaica. These funds will support nature-based and climate-resilient recovery in the tourism sector, capacity development for ecosystem restoration and integrated land management in western regions of Jamaica and support civil society organizations for building long-term resilience of communities and ecosystems. Dr Khoday said, “Hurricane Melissa was the strongest climate induced disaster to hit Jamaica in modern history, and supporting a resilience-based approach to recovery for affected communities is not just smart. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) it is also a matter of justice, as countries face mounting loss and damage from the global climate emergency. Building on our 50-year presence in Jamaica and as part of a coordinated UN system-wide effort, UNDP stands in solidarity with the government and people of Jamaica, to deliver our part in achieving Jamaica’s vision for a resilient recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” he indicated. Jamaica was struck by category five Hurricane Melissa on 28 October, sustaining loss of life and livelihoods, and catastrophic damage to buildings, infrastructure, forests, agricultural fields, coastal ecosystems and socio-economic assets across the western regions of the island.  ****

 

Our Next Gen Leaders Mental Wellness Platform. VIBECHECKUP. You are our most precious gift to the world. November2025.

To our youths.  You are the most precious gift we have given to the world.

 

BEMA International

 

https://vibecheckup.org/   To join our movement, contact kfogg@gspartnerships.org

 

 

 

 

 

JAMAICA GOVERNMENT(MINISTRY'S & PARISHES) DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMS & CONTACT DIRECTORY November 2025

 

JAMAICA GOVERNMENT DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMS & CONTACT DIRECTORY    Updated for Hurricane Melissa Recovery     A.   National Disaster Relief & Recovery Programs   1. Support Jamaica — National Hurricane Melissa Relief Portal Lead Agency: Government of Jamaica (Office of the Prime Minister + ODPEM) Purpose: Official national portal for Hurricane Melissa recovery. Provides donation channels, volunteer registration, supply drop-off information, and official guidance. Website: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm Donation Page: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/donate Volunteer Portal: https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/volunteers Help Desk Phone: (876) 906–9674–5 or (876) 754–9077–8 Email: info@odpem.org.jm Notes: ·        This is the only government-verified platform for Melissa relief efforts. ·        JaCIRT has issued public warnings about fraudulent donation sites.   2. Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Address: 2–4 Haining Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica Phone: (876) 906–9674–5 / (876) 754–9077–8 Toll-Free: 1–888–225–5637 Email: odpem@cwjamaica.com / info@odpem.org.jm Website: https://www.odpem.org.jm Role: ·        National authority for disaster preparedness, emergency response, hazard monitoring, shelter management, and post-disaster coordination.   3. Ministry of Labour & Social Security (MLSS) — Disaster Relief Management Division Head Office: 1F North Street, Kingston, Jamaica Phone (General): (876) 922–8000–13 Toll-Free: 888–991–7284 Email: clientcare@mlss.gov.jm Website: https://www.mlss.gov.jm Role: ·        Conducts household damage assessments. ·        Provides emergency welfare grants and supports shelters. ·        Coordinates with ODPEM and municipal authorities.   4. Ministry of Health & Wellness — Emergency Disaster Management & Special Services Division Address: 10–16 Grenada Way, Kingston 5 Phone: (876) 633–8172 / (876) 633–7771 Health Hotline: 888-ONE-LOVE (663–5683) Email: info@moh.gov.jm Website: https://www.moh.gov.jm Role: ·        Health-system preparedness, water safety alerts, emergency medical care, and WASH responses during and after disasters.   5. National Housing Trust (NHT) — Hurricane Relief Grant & Loan Program Corporate Office: 4 Park Boulevard, Kingston 5, Jamaica Customer Care: 1–888-CALL-NHT (225–5648) Local Phone: (876) 929–6500–9 Email: wecare@nht.gov.jm Website: https://www.nht.gov.jm Programs: ·        Hurricane Relief Grant: For NHT contributors with Melissa-related home damage. ·        Hurricane Relief Loan: For home repairs, with simplified processing. ·        Mortgage Moratorium: Temporary suspension for affected areas.   6. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining — J$3 Billion Agricultural Recovery Program Website: https://www.moa.gov.jm Role: ·        Oversees national agricultural recovery plan for farmers and fishers affected by Hurricane Melissa. ·        Provides seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, emergency livestock support, and land-preparation services. ·        Coordinates with RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority) and Fisheries Division. Key Implementing Bodies: ·        RADA Parish Offices — farmer registry, crop damage verification. ·        Fisheries Division — boat/gear replacement and coastal recovery. (If needed, I can list all parish RADA offices with emails and phone numbers.)   7. Constituency Support Recovery Program (Post-Melissa) Lead Agency: Office of the Prime Minister Purpose: Allocates emergency funds directly to Members of Parliament for localized relief. Funding Allocation: ·        J$10 million to constituencies in the hardest-hit parishes. ·        J$5 million to moderately affected constituencies. ·        J$3 million to all others. Coordination: Through constituency offices and municipal corporations.

 

 

B.   Parish Disaster Coordinators (2025–2026 Directory)   Lead Ministry: Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development Telephone (Head Office): (876) 618–7360–9 Website: https://www.localgovjamaica.gov.jm Notes: Each coordinator is the primary point of contact for disaster planning, emergency response, and community recovery within their parish.   Clarendon Coordinator: Stacy-Ann Henningham Email: stacy-ann.henningham@clarendonmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–853–1407   Hanover Coordinator: Annissa Spence Email: annissa.spence@hanovermc.gov.jm Phone: 876–564–0917   St. Mary Coordinator: Adrian Tate Email: adrian.tate@stmarymc.gov.jm Phone: 876–577–8307   St. Catherine Coordinator: Yasheka Jathan-Thompson Email: yasheka.jathan-thompson@stcatherinemc.gov.jm Phone: 876–588–8689 / 876–561–1998   Trelawny Coordinator: Dion Hylton-Lewis Email: dhyltnlewis@trelawnymc.gov.jm Phone: 876–843–0125   St. James Coordinator: Ricardo Miller Email: ricardo.miller@stjamesmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–390–9454   Westmoreland Coordinator: Marcine Campbell-Kerr Email: marcine.campbell-kerr@westmorelandmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–296–0129   St. Elizabeth Coordinator: Rasha Lloyd Email: rasha.lloyd@stelizabethmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–570–6269   Portland Coordinator: Denise Lewis Email: denise.lewis@portlandmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–392–7276   Kingston & St. Andrew (KSAMC) Coordinator: Terry Forester Email: terry.forester@ksac.gov.jm Phone: 876–456–1183   Manchester Coordinator: Keval Lewis Email: keval.lewis@manchestermc.gov.jm Phone: 876–503–2852   St. Ann Coordinator: Alvin Clarke Email: alvin.clarke@stannmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–360–7460   St. Thomas Coordinator: Martina Medley-Goode Email: martina.medley-goode@stthomasmc.gov.jm Phone: 876–396–9818        Portmore Municipality Coordinator: Nordia Campbell Email: nordia.campbell@portmoremc.gov.jm Phone: 876–874–5897