Dear Prime Minister,
I write this public letter with a heavy heart, not only as a citizen, but as someone directly affected by the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. While the winds have died down and the floodwaters have receded, the trauma remains—deep, unhealed, and ongoing. For many of us, survival has replaced living, and uncertainty shadows each passing day.
The psychological impact of this disaster cannot be overstated. Families have been displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and hope steadily eroded. Yet what deepens this wound is not only the hurricane itself, but the unequal and unjust response to those left behind.
It has become painfully clear that the system of hurricane relief is flawed by bias and imbalance. We are told that all citizens are equal, yet in practice, some receive swift assistance while others are left waiting indefinitely. This disparity mirrors a troubling reality—one where equality exists in principle, but not in action.
As a resident of Tangle River Point P.O., St. James, I have experienced this neglect firsthand. My farming livelihood has been severely impacted, and despite repeated appeals, meaningful support has not reached me. I have watched as authorities appear to overlook communities like mine, leaving us to struggle on our own. We are left at the mercy of circumstances, forced to endure hardship that could have been alleviated with timely and fair intervention.
Farmers across the island, particularly in rural areas, are facing similar conditions. Crops have been destroyed, animals lost, and the means to rebuild remain out of reach. These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a broader pattern of neglect that must be addressed urgently.
Prime Minister, I ask you to consider the human cost of inaction. I ask you to look beyond reports and statistics, and see the lived reality of your people. We are not asking for special treatment—only fairness, dignity, and equal access to relief and recovery.
Let this moment be one where leadership rises to meet responsibility. Let it not be said that citizens were abandoned in their time of greatest need. The nation’s strength lies in how it cares for all its people, not just a few.
Respectfully,
Fabian Stennett
Footnote:
Fabian Stennett is a Jamaican author and cultural historian with a focus on Maroon heritage and identity. He has written seven books on Maroon subjects, available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats. His works include They Carved the Pathways: Chronicles of Popular Jamaican Icons, Maroon Poetic History, Maroons Paving the Way: The True Way Paver, Modern Maroons Jamaica, and Maroon Book of Eulogies Part One, among others. He is also an active public voice on cultural and social issues through online platforms.
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