Michael Abrahams | Empathy for the West

On the evening of Friday, June 5, without any warning, Jamaica was plunged into darkness by an islandwide power outage. Earlier, I had endured a particularly demanding day at work and was attempting to relax and unwind at home when the lights went out abruptly. I felt annoyed and inconvenienced, and after seeing social media posts from across the island and realising that the entire country was affected, my concern deepened considerably.

By the following morning, electricity had been restored to most of the affected areas. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) did not provide an immediate explanation for the interruption, and while theories regarding the cause of the disruption abounded, such as claims of a cyberattack orchestrated by the US or manipulation by the Jamaican Government to facilitate nefarious activities, I found myself overwhelmed by a profound sense of empathy for the survivors of Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica, whose lives were devastated by the storm. What happened on June 5 was a temporary inconvenience for me lasting a single night, but for many hurricane survivors, this has been their reality for the past seven months. Many have been deprived not only of electricity but also of potable water, and, more devastatingly, many have been left homeless.

Health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. For countless Jamaicans in the western region of the island, Hurricane Melissa has severely undermined all aspects of their health - and beyond. In addition to compromising the abovementioned facets of health, the disaster has exacted a heavy toll on the emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being of many.

Many individuals now grapple with mental-health challenges stemming from the trauma of the hurricane, while pre-existing psychiatric conditions for some have been exacerbated. Some survivors witnessed death and catastrophic injuries, and several narrowly escaped losing their own lives. Severe natural disasters can lead to long-term mental health sequelae. For instance, following Hurricane Katrina, which struck the southeastern United States in 2005, studies indicated that more than 47 per cent of affected adults likely experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the period immediately after the disaster, while up to 17 per cent continued to suffer from PTSD and psychological distress for more than a decade thereafter.

Some people lost not only their homes but all or nearly all of their earthly possessions, including important documents. Many have lost their livelihoods and remain unemployed. Some children have been unable to return to school. Some survivors have remained in unsafe shelters and other dwellings, vulnerable to theft and physical and sexual assault, and coexisting with rats, roaches, scorpions, centipedes, and other vermin. Food insecurity remains a pressing concern for many. There are people who were receiving life-saving therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer, or dialysis for kidney failure, whose schedules were disrupted. Some were awaiting surgery for serious illnesses, and their operations have been significantly delayed. There are also reports of people who lost their medications and prescriptions during the storm and experienced challenges replacing them as healthcare facilities in the area were also compromised after its passing.

The lack of empathy from some of my fellow citizens saddens me. Too many of us have been dismissive of the suffering endured by the survivors. Expressing concern about the situations and living conditions of these people, and the lack of assistance they have received, has been met in some quarters with rebukes, insults, and accusations of partisan motives. To express outrage on hearing that of the $1.44 billion in hurricane relief money, seven months later and into the next hurricane season, only 1.8 per cent has been used to help victims, and that this amount includes over $154 million that was sent to help victims of Hurricane Beryl two years ago, does not make one partisan. Rather, it reflects the response of a rational, compassionate, and empathetic human being. Concern for the welfare of our fellow Jamaicans should always supersede political allegiance.

My concern stems from empathy for the survivors. Criticism of this Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government does not equate to endorsement of the People’s National Party (PNP) opposition.  In fact, not only do I remain unconvinced that had the PNP won the last election, they would have done a better job in managing the country, but I also find them insufficiently robust in their advocacy for Hurricane Melissa survivors. Given the PNP's strong representation in western Jamaica, I believe there ought to be more forceful advocacy and a louder, more sustained outcry from some of its members of parliament representing affected constituencies. In my view, certain vloggers, social media influencers, and independent commentators are performing the very functions that the Opposition should be fulfilling.

As we enter another hurricane season, we must not lose sight of those who continue to suffer. Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, foreigners, local and overseas organisations, and governments, including our own, have provided assistance to those in need. However, there is a lot more work to be done. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, we were inundated with videos, photographs, personal accounts, stories, and conversations about the devastation wrought by the Category 5 hurricane. Today, there are still stories to be told and conversations to be had. We cannot afford to forget those who remain in distress. We must persist in advocating for them and supporting them in whatever ways we are able. They are, after all, our brothers and sisters.

Michael Abrahams is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, social commentator, and human-rights advocate. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and michabe_1999@hotmail.com, or follow him on X @mikeyabrahams.