PNP councillor-caretaker seeking help for families struggling after Hurricane Melissa
Published:Wednesday | December 3, 2025 | 4:48 PM
Abigail Malcolm, People’s National Party councillor-caretaker for the Cornwall Mountain Division in Westmoreland, said she has been seeking assistance to help persons rebuild and bury their loved ones arising from Hurricane Melissa.
This follows what she claims is the slow and uneven distribution of relief from the government in the aftermath of the deadly Category 5 storm, which hit the country in October.
The numbers are many, but Malcolm cited three families in Watercress, Cornwall Mountain, and Ferris Cross who are finding it particularly difficult to cope after their loved ones died in the hurricane.
Among them are the relatives of 18-year-old Monique Clarke, who was eight weeks pregnant when a roof caved in, killing her.
“A very humble send-off was planned for her next Saturday,” said Malcolm.
“This was a rough period, and we are doing what we can. This wasn’t something planned. Most of these funerals don't even have a repast because they can’t afford it. So what I am trying to do is to provide some meals for the funerals, as well as assist with the funeral package,” she said, noting that the cheapest funeral packages cost about $220,000.
“Some families don’t know when their loved ones are going to be buried. They don’t 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 continued, adding that Dwayne Vaz, the Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, has been actively working with stakeholders to assist residents.
The government has reported that 45 persons died as a result of Hurricane Melissa.
The highest number of deaths was recorded in St Elizabeth, with 18 fatalities, followed by Westmoreland with 15.
- Corey Robinson
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