PNP councillor to assist family of pregnant 18-y-o killed in Hurricane Melissa

People's National Party councillor for the Cornwall Mountain Division in Westmoreland, Abigail Malcolm, says she has been seeking assistance for families who are struggling to rebuild and even bury their loved ones after the deadly Hurricane Melissa.

This follows what she described as slow and uneven distribution of relief from the government in the aftermath of the deadly category five Hurricane Melissa last month.

Malcolm pointed to three families in Watercress, Cornwall Mountain, and Ferris Cross who are particularly overwhelmed as they try to cope with the loss of relatives who died in the hurricane. Among them are the relatives of eighteen year old Monique Clarke, who was eight weeks pregnant when a roof collapsed and killed her. Malcolm said a very humble send off is planned for next Saturday.

"This was a rough period and we are doing what we can. This wasn't something planned. Most of these funerals do not even have a repast because they cannot afford it. So what I am trying to do is provide some meals for the funerals as well as assist with the funeral package," she said, noting that the cheapest packages start at about $220,000.

"Some families do not know when their loved ones are going to be buried. They do not have the first cent. So we have just been trying to stick it out, stick together, and see how best we can help these families," she added. She also noted that Central Westmoreland member of parliament, Dwayne Vaz, has been working with stakeholders to support residents.

Government figures indicate that forty five people died in Jamaica as a result of Hurricane Melissa. St Elizabeth recorded eighteen deaths, followed by Westmoreland with fifteen. St James recorded two, Hanover and Trelawny recorded two each, and St Ann and Portland recorded one each.

- Corey Robinson

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