10:00 a.m Satellite imagery of the Saharan Air Layer across the Caribbean and Jamaica. The greatest intensity is now just south of Hispaniola and just east of Jamaica.

The Saharan Air Layer, SAL (Dust plume) which has been affecting the island since yesterday is expected to intensify over the next twenty-four hours.

Acting Head of the Weather Branch, Meteorologist Rohan Brown said the country is currently experiencing a reduction in visibility.

“In keeping with the forecast as of 10:00 a.m. today, (June 23) the horizontal visibility has reduced to 4 Kilometres in Kingston and 5 Kilometres in Montego Bay. On a normal day the visibility is usually greater than 10 Kilometres with the average anywhere between 16 and 20 kilometres, so clearly we are seeing a reduction in visibility as a result of the increased dust particles in the atmosphere associated with the Saharan Air Layer.”

Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson said the country is likely to see the worst case of the plume on Wednesday (June 24) and it will gradually dissipate as we get into the weekend.

“The conditions are expected to continue during the week but we will see more of an impact on Tuesday (June 23), then on Wednesday we are likely to see the worst case of this current plume that is moving across us and it will gradually dissipate as we get into the weekend”, said Mr Thompson.

Satellite images from the past few days show the thick dust moving off the west coast of Africa, crawling across the Atlantic and eastern Caribbean on Sunday, and now moving into the Central Caribbean.

Mr Thompson further explained that “as the plume moves across the Caribbean and covers the Jamaica area we will see the increase in dust particles suspended in the atmosphere; there will be an increase in the hazy conditions across the country and we will also notice some depositing of dust particles on surfaces”.

It is expected that the country could experience another episode of the Dust plume over the next week or two. Right now the current phase is expected to last only a week but it could reoccur in the next couple of days. 

In the meantime, Mr Thompson added that the plume will also impact storm activity.

“The plume will also cause a trapping of the heat closest to the surface of the earth and so we could be seeing an increase in temperatures. This type of activity will also prohibit rainfall… There are likely to be more dry conditions and less of the storm activity during the period that we are affected by the Saharan Dust plume”, he explained.

The arrival of the Saharan dust layer is not unusual and happens every year between May and October. The plumes are usually short-lived, lasting no more than a week. However, what is different this year is the thickness of the plume that is observed on the satellite imagery and as a result we are expecting greater concentrations in the dust levels.

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MORE THAN 30 communities in the Upper Rio Minho Watershed (URMW) area of Clarendon are to receive 250 rainwater systems to help boost their response to drought and ensure greater water security for their communities.

The rainwater systems will be mainly distributed to schools, clinics, churches and other essential facilities that serve the communities. The systems are being provided by the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism (AP&FM) for the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR). It is part of a set of activities that the AP&FM is implementing in the URMW to preserve the watershed, which is responsible for 40 per cent of the water supply to the parishes in Middlesex.

“The need for the communal rainwater systems was identified through a consultative process a few years ago when Jamaica’s Strategic Programme for Climate Resilience was being developed. It was among a set of measures recommended to halt the decline of the URMW area,” said Dr Winsome Townsend, project manager for the AP&FM.

Other measures include:

– rehabilitation of 2 rainwater ponds;

– 25 hectares of agro-forestry;

– 15 hectares of reforestation;

– Vulnerability assessment of and preparation of an Adaptation Plan for the entire Rio Minho Watershed; as well as :

– preparation of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction plans for the 15 most at-risk communities in the area.

“We are happy that we are now in the communities – working with the schools, health centres and churches, etc, to assign the rainwater systems. It means that these premises should be better able to manage drought and to better fulfil the role of emergency centres in the aftermath of a disaster,” said Townsend.

Since 2014, droughts have cost the Government at least J$1 billion to help farmers cope and recover. Clarendon has been one of the parishes experiencing extremely long periods of drought. The AP&FM programme will help ensure that there is increased water security in the communities through the restoration of the URMW.

The AP&FM is a part of Jamaica’s PPCR. It works to help Jamaica adjust more easily to climate change. It supports the integration of climate-change issues into development planning by government agencies. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and is funded by the Climate Investment Fund through the Inter-American Development Bank and the Government of Jamaica.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20200326/earth-today-250-communal-rainwater-systems-upper-clarendon

Speaking on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the handing over of three buses to assist with transporting health workers, Minister Vaz noted that the government and the private sector have been working together to respond to the needs of workers in the health sector during this challenging period, including their transportation needs.  

One bus was donated to the Victoria Jubilee Hospital by Guardian Life Limited to assist with transporting health-care workers during the handing over ceremony at Jamaica House.

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Hon. Daryl Vaz, tests the comfort of one of the seats in the bus handed over by Guardian Life Limited, along with Board Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) Wentworth Charles (seated foreground)  and other members of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.  Looking on is President of Guardian Group Limited Eric Hosin (standing behind HM Vaz) 

Two other buses were handed over for use by healthcare workers at the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth.  The buses are on loan from Island Car Rentals.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz (second right); along with State Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hon. Floyd Green (third left), stand beside two buses that were officially handed over to the Black River Hospital by Island Car Rentals.  Looking on is President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica Keith Duncan (second left).

Earlier in the month, two buses were handed over to assist with transportation in Portland and three buses in St. Mary for the Port Antonio Hospital and the Annotto Bay Hospital, respectively.  These buses were provided on loan by Avis Rent a Car and Budget Rent a Car.

Minister Vaz took the opportunity to thank the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) for its partnership and support in the fight against COVID-19, and urged Jamaicans to play their part by staying home and keeping themselves updated with factual information from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and other official sources.

To advance further understanding as it relates to the implementation of measures in the public sector to encourage “work from home”, Permanent Secretaries are required to consult with department and agency heads to determine certain functions which could be carried out from home for seven days starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to March 25, 2020.

The objective is to reduce the level of public travel and interactions.

The private sector is also required to implement similar measures of having their staff work from home where possible. It is not the intention of the Government to shut down the economy.

Therefore, we expect offices and factories to remain open and continue to produce and offer service with only the minimum staff necessary.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has moved decisively to act to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in Jamaica.

The move follows a meeting of Cabinet yesterday (March 16) which approved measures for the action.

Updating the nation at a media briefing following the meeting of Cabinet, Prime Minister Holness announced that effective Wednesday, March 18 all non-essential work in both the public and private sectors should be done from home or remotely.

“The Government will institute a new policy, required from seven days hence this time, that all non-essential work be done from home. So, we are going to be asking the Permanent Secretaries to examine all functions with their respective ministries departments and agencies, and where [tasks] are considered to be non-essential, that those be carried on at home or remotely. We are now formally requiring the private sector to do this,” said Prime Minister Holness.

According to Prime Minister Holness, markets, supermarkets, corner shops, gas stations and pharmacies will remain open as they are considered essential for the continuation of life. However, he stressed that social distancing must be practiced.

The opening hours for markets will be adjusted to 6am to 2pm daily.

Prime Minister Holness implored market vendors to pay close attention to social distancing.

In that regard, Prime Minister Holness said gatherings should be limited to 20 persons. This includes funerals, weddings, and church services.

The police are now empowered by law to take action if gatherings exceed 20 persons.

In addition, Prime Minister Holness has also announced that bars, night clubs, and other areas of entertainment are ordered closed for seven days, starting this Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

The Prime Minister stated that after five days, a review will be conducted, and the government will update the nation on whether or not the new policies will be escalated based on the spread of COVID-19.

Persons found in breach of the regulations will be charge one million JMD or sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Importantly, Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that the aim of the Government is not to halt the operations of the economy but to put measures in place to facilitate social distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We are trying to put in the measures bearing in mind that it is not the intention of the Government to shut down the economy, we have to keep the economy going. What we are trying to do is to institute the measures that we believe will inure greater practice of social distancing which is what is now being recommended as the most effective way of controlling the spread of COVID-19,” said Prime Minister Holness.

In the meantime, all travelers from countries where there is local transmission of COVID19 will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Additionally, hospital visits are reduced to one visitor once per day, while, outpatient clinics in hospitals will be scaled down.

As for public transportation, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and the Montego Bay Metro will only transport passengers that are seated while licensed taxis operators are to carry one less passenger.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness asserted that the measures that have been agreed by Cabinet under Section 26 (2) of the Disaster Risk Management Act are designed to contain the spread of the virus and to prevent the collapse of the Jamaican economy.

In that regard, the Government has also approved a contract for protective gear and equipment valued at 2.2 million USD, and the Government is also expecting the arrival of 400,000 masks.

FIVE COMMUNITIES in the Upper Rio Minho Watershed (URMW) of Clarendon will be better able to adapt to climate change while increasing their earning capacity, with the recent launch of five innovative aquaponics systems.

The communities of Aenon Town, Ritchies, Alston, Johns Hall and James Hill, with a combined population of over 10, 333 persons, will see their new aquaponics systems operated by their Community Development Committees.

The systems were provided by the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism (AP&FM) project of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) through INMED Partnerships for Children and their innovative INMED Aquaponics programme.

“It is an exciting time for the project, as these systems will greatly boost agricultural production in the communities. It will reduce their dependence on the changing weather patterns in order to produce because drought, for example, will not cripple the farmers as it used to,” explained Dr Winsome Townsend, project manager for the AP&FM.

AQUAPONICS

Aquaponics is an innovative farming technique that combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soil-less crop production) into a closed system that is resilient to destructive climate change events.

It is a method that boosts crop production up to 10 times higher than traditionally cultivated plots of equivalent size. It uses 85-90% less water and uses no chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Its low energy consumption provides year-round crop production and uses much less labour than traditional farming, making it accessible to individuals with disabilities, beneficial for female-led households and attractive to youth.

“INMED Partnerships for Children and INMED Caribbean are proud to be working with these exceptional communities in the crucial watershed area of Clarendon, and are committed to provide crucial training and mentoring to help them be successful in achieving food and economic security and building climate resiliency,” noted Dr Linda Pfeiffer, INMED’s president.

The aquaponics systems are a part of the activities undertaken under the AP&FM to help to reduce Jamaica’s vulnerability to climate change. The island has been experiencing impacts, such as stronger hurricanes, severe flooding, prolonged droughts and sea level rise. Between 2001 and 2012, Jamaica experienced 11 storm events, including five major hurricanes and several flood events amounting to about J$128.54 billion in loss and damage.

COMMENDATIONS

“We commend these communities for their proactivity and recognising the importance of building resilience to climate change. They have led the charge for implementing the commissioning of these systems which will boost their agricultural outputs critical to ensuring food security especially in periods of drought,” said Therese Turner-Jones, general manager for the Caribbean Country Department of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The Government of Jamaica, the IDB and the World Bank developed the island’s PPCR to help the country to strengthen its climate resilience through enhancing adaptive capacity across priority sectors. PPCR has five projects being implemented to address varying areas of vulnerability. The AP&FM is the largest of the five PPCR projects in Jamaica.

“This project is one that the community has really embraced. I can see based on what they tell me that they have bought into it,” said Morene Marshall, president of the Ritchies Community Development Committee.

“I think the project will provide employment for some persons. It can also bring about togetherness as well as we have representatives from all the different churches in the area working together on it,” she added.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC), Hon. Daryl Vaz yesterday (February 13) led a multi-agency meeting with the management of the JISCO/Alpart Bauxite Plant in St Elizabeth to address the impact of the dust emanating from the residue disposal area (mud lake) at Nain.

Minister Vaz attended the meeting on the invitation of Member of Parliament (MP) for South East St Elizabeth Franklin Witter.  The meeting also included a number of representatives from the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s).

The communities affected by the accompanying environmental and human health challenges from the mud lake include: Myersville, Buena Vista, North Hampton, Lower Warminster, Upper Warminster, Austin, Folly, among others.

It was highlighted during the meeting that the dust problem became more pronounced since December 2019 for a number of reasons. 

These include:-

• The commencement of the dry season and lack of rainfall
• JISCO’s inability to quickly build out the dust containment measures such as wetting, irrigation, dust suppression and
• The stockpile of raw material being identified as a source of dust, which the Plant has been instructed to address in short order.

At the end of the meeting it was agreed that residents from the communities are to be compensated starting today (February 14, 2019), with the remaining compensation packages to be issued at the end of the month.

JISCO/Alpart was instructed to increase the number of personnel such as doctors, legal staff and community relations officers,  to address shortcomings in areas of health, land settlement, relocation, legacy issues and community relations with the residents.

The plant was also mandated to comply with a cessation order which was served by National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) under the NRCA Air Quality Regulations(2010),  in January 2019.  The order was specific on the actions JISCO were to implement,  to mitigate the dust problem.

The management of the plant was also instructed to speedily build out the dust suppression measures within the time mandated by NEPA, while Government regulatory agencies were instructed to continue monitoring and enforcement interventions to ensure full compliance by the company.

Minister Vaz gave the assurance that he would personally monitor the situation, and would work with Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montegue, to deal with the issues.

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