Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture has designated Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, as National Days of Prayer in response to the extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa. Culture Minister Olivia Grange convened religious leaders to establish a National Religious and Faith-based Hurricane Task Force, chaired by Dr. Bishop Herro Blair of the Deliverance Evangelistic Association Inc., to coordinate relief and assess needs across faith communities.
The observance will include an Hour of Lament for national mourning and reflection on lives lost and destruction endured. The task force, working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, is already aligning aid requests from the hardest-hit parishes—St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. Ann, and St. James—with government agencies for targeted support.
Through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the ministry will also launch fundraising efforts, including an “I Love Jamaica” Telethon and Concert Series featuring a gospel concert. All relief requests from faith-based groups will be routed through the ministry to ensure coordinated and transparent assistance.
The observance will include an Hour of Lament for national mourning and reflection on lives lost and destruction endured. The task force, working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, is already aligning aid requests from the hardest-hit parishes—St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. Ann, and St. James—with government agencies for targeted support.
Through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the ministry will also launch fundraising efforts, including an “I Love Jamaica” Telethon and Concert Series featuring a gospel concert. All relief requests from faith-based groups will be routed through the ministry to ensure coordinated and transparent assistance.
