Keisha Shakespeare, Staff Reporter
In 2005, Jamaica's landscape was marred by natural and man-made disasters. Last year saw the most active hurricane season resulting in major damages to the country's landscape and leaving many people homeless.
HURRICANES
Hurricane damage can take surprising forms. Joseph Buchanan points to a three storey house in Mount Lebanus, St. Thomas, that was seriously damaged during the passage of hurricanes Dennis and Emily last year. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
IN THE Gleaner of November 16, an article titled '$6 billion hurricane bill', read in part, "... the damage as a result of hurricanes Dennis and Emily has cost the country's gross domestic product (GDP) almost $6 billion, according to estimates by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
"This was revealed by director-general of the PIOJ, Dr. Wesley Hughes, at a press briefing of the quarterly review of the economy at the PIOJ's office in New Kingston on November 15, 2005."
BUSH FIRES
A bush fire rages out of control in the hills of St. Elizabeth last April. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ALSO LAST year, before the start of the hurricane season, the country suffered from a severe drought and numerous bush fires. As a result of this, the agriculture sector was greatly affected.
An April 23, Gleaner article headlined, 'Drought damage bill over $270 million', stated, "the cost of the damage done to the agriculture sector from the recent drought and bush fires has been estimated at more than $270 million, a report by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) said.
"Albert Shand, executive director of RADA, told The Gleaner's Farmers Weekly that the report indicated that more than 14,000 farmers were affected.
More than 2,000 hectares of farmland were affected. He said the parishes worst affected were St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas, Clarendon, Trelawny and Portland."
MURDERS
A baby looks on as residents of Central Kingston demonstrate in front of the Gleaner's office downtown Kingston last year. The residents were demonstrating against the triple murder in the community. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
ALTHOUGH THE country was battered by the numerous hurricanes and bush fires, murders committed outweighed them all. Last year, the murder toll was 1,669 compared to 1,471 in 2004.
A Gleaner article on January 6 of this year, headlined 'Plan to Cut Murder', stated, "By the end of this month (January), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will develop a plan to reduce murder, Deputy Commissioner (DCP) Mark Shields has disclosed.
"The objective is to be pursued through a specific Homicide Reduction Strategy being prepared by DCP Shields, who heads the crime portfolio in the JCF. The resolve by the police high command to tackle murder this year comes after the country registered a record 1,669 murders last year."
The Positives
ATHLETICS
World 100M record holder Asafa Powell
DESPITE THE natural disasters and crime that the country faced, the nation has bounced back. We have made many strides that we can be proud of. Among these were the World Athletics Championships from which our team brought back one gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
On March 23, The Gleaner's 'Ja win in Fine Style' stated: "Jamaica ended its campaign in the 2005 regional Carib Beer Series in style at Alpart, St. Elizabeth, defeating the Leeward Islands by eight wickets to win the Carib Beer Challenge Trophy and in the process the coveted double."
And Asafa Powell made us proud by setting the new men's 100 metre record of 9.77 seconds at the Athens Olympics Stadium on June 14.
