Jamaica reels after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa — support channel launched to coordinate relief

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Jamaica is now facing the aftermath of one of the most powerful storms in its recorded history. Hurricane Melissa struck the island as a Category 5 system, unleashing extraordinary winds, torrential rainfall and storm surges that have wreaked havoc — especially in the south-west.

In the parish of St. Elizabeth and in the town of Black River, damage has been described as catastrophic. Roofs were torn off homes and public buildings, hospital wards lost power, entire streets were reduced to mud after landslides and flooding. Authorities say that up to 77% of the island’s electricity customers were without power in the immediate aftermath.

In some communities the storm surge reportedly reached as high as 16 feet, and parts of the coastline and river-valley districts remain cut off by debris-blocked roads and landslides. While full damage assessments are still underway, preliminary reports suggest tens of thousands of homes and public structures were impacted, particularly in western parishes.

Against this backdrop, the Government of Jamaica has swiftly launched an official online platform — the Support Jamaica website — to coordinate contributions and relief efforts. This platform, developed by the Jamaican government, is accessible at supportjamaica.gov.jm.On the site, donors can make immediate contributions via credit or debit card, pledge future support, or transfer funds directly using the bank account details listed for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

It is crucial to highlight this channel because the scale of the disaster unfortunately means many people may become vulnerable to scams. By donating via the official Support Jamaica site you ensure your aid reaches legitimate relief and recovery coordination efforts.

As Kingston-based organisations begin mobilising, the task ahead is immense: restoring utilities, clearing access routes, rebuilding damaged homes and infrastructure, and supporting the many families displaced by the storm. Jamaica will rely on both international solidarity and local mobilisation to recover — and the Support Jamaica website offers one transparent, government-endorsed way to channel that support.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected — and every contribution counts as Jamaica begins the long road to recovery.

Causion Will Perform At The Canadian Film Festival “COMMFFEST”

Posted on September 2, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Despite being a veteran in the reggae music industry, recording artist Causion – who hails from Antigua and Barbuda – continues to open new doors, thus exposing his soulful reggae sounds to brand new audiences.

On Saturday, September 16th, he will perform at the 18th annual COMMFFEST Global Film & Arts Festival, which is scheduled for September 15th through the 22nd at St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Causion will be sharing the stage with Grammy winning musician Maurice Gregory (formerly of Third World), who is the only other confirmed musical act on the program.

In addition to his live performance, Causion‘s music will be presented in another format. Some of his songs are featured in the film Deep Blue, one of the more prominent and arguably controversial films at the festival. It’s written and directed by Howard Allen, and produced by his wife Mitzi, for their independent Caribbean film company – HaMa – operating out of Antigua and Barbuda.

While he is enjoying all the new opportunities coming his way as the official reggae ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, Causion is still actively promoting his recently released EP, The Mission Is in Progress, shared in late June via his very own Dread Stop Music. The project’s lead single, Thank You, is still getting favorable rotation, and is now #12 on the South Florida Top 25 Reggae Chart.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “THE MISSION IS IN PROGRESS”