“… A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots …” penned Jamaica National Hero Marcus Garvey. So what application is in this for communities in trepidation, contemplating being roofless and entering the start of the 2026 hurricane season?

Michael Abrahams poignantly expressed another tree rootlessness in his poem, Tarpaulin. This echoes the plight of numerous persons still living in structures without any sound roof covering following the October 28, 2025, passage of Hurricane Melissa. “… Dreams blown away with them earthly possessions. Dejected and feeling rejected. Never expected to be neglected. By the elected. Still waiting for dwellings to be erected. It nu pretty. It nu cute. Big big man and little yute. Destitute. Jus a kotch like tree without root. Facing the truth. Dat they have been, abandoned …”.

Presented in Parliament on May 12 was the Jamaica auditor general’s report that approximately two per cent of the $1.44 billion in donations for Hurricane Melissa relief remained unused. Additionally, there are other unused donations following the 2024 Hurricane Beryl. Abrahams continued: “… People bawling. Unda tarparlin. But the authorities them stalling. Whole heap of money sent. But only a little tups of it spent. Less than two percent. But the powers that be. Tek you and me fe idiot. Fe fool. Take the whole a-wi fah buffoon. Like we a big-head bud whey a bawl behind cow. A tell we sey dem a go fix tings soon. When tings should a well an fix by now. Dem comfortable in a fi dem residence with dem ceiling, floor, and concrete wall …”.