Commentary

Damion Crawford, opposition spokesman on education.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Melissa and voluntarism

The Gleaner notes, and supports, Damion Crawford’s renewed proposal that Jamaica establishes a department of voluntarism to register – and align skills to needs – people who want to volunteer their…
December 9, 2025

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva | COP30, the moment of truth

TODAY IN the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém Summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to the COP so that we can…
Members of the Jamaica Defence Force, aided by a volunteer from Australia, pull a downed concrete power pole from the roadway on October 29, after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
December 9, 2025

Basil Jarrett | The need for a strong volunteer army

IT PAINS me, no, shames me to say this, but prior to the events of October 28, I had never heard of the Council of Volunteer and Support Services (CVSS). I know. I’m utterly embarrassed to admit this.…
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon (left), listens to Hidran McKulsky, principal of Manchester-based Holmwood Technical High School, while on a visit to the institution on Sunday to see the extent of the hurr
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Melissa, reading and rebuilding

T he Gleaner welcomes the appreciation by Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon of the urgency of placing children back into a learning mode after last week’s destruction by Hurricane Melissa,…
Rising underground water, which occurred after Hurricane Melissa in a section of Content, Williamsfield, Manchester, has flooded several houses and the roadway, making it impassable. On Wednesday, persons were drawn to the community to witness the strange
December 9, 2025

Elizabeth Morgan | After Melissa: Have we weathered the storm and passed the worst?

LAST WEEK in this column, we were anticipating the arrival of the unknown quantity for Jamaica, Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, and lamenting our national disregard for consistent, proper maintenance of…
EU Ambassador Dr Erja Askola delivers remarks during Monday’s handing over of emergency supplies following Hurricane Melissa. Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith (right) and European partners look on.
December 9, 2025

John Azar | Transparent and inclusive approach needed to aid distribution

EVEN AS we give thanks that Kingston and other areas in Jamaica were spared the worst of Hurricane Melissa, the scale of devastation elsewhere is heartbreaking. It is far worse than even the most…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness. - File photo.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | PM should attend COP30

It would be understandable if Prime Minister Andrew Holness wants to remain at home, to directly oversee his government’s response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa a week ago. Not only…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (left) and Mark Golding, leader of the Opposition, at the 45th Annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast.
December 9, 2025

Michael Abrahams | We need unity

Melissa, one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record, struck the island as a Category 5 hurricane, causing widespread devastation in Western Jamaica. In the island’s record-keeping history,…
Encouraging notes written by volunteers wait to be placed in feminine hygiene packages bound for Jamaica, at Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek, Florida.
December 9, 2025

Gordon Robinson | How can I help?

For once, a Tuesday column won’t include shaggy dog tales, domino metaphors or Oma D’unn’s parables. There’s nothing funny about last week’s demonic invasion by a blowhard named Melissa. Social media…