Jamaicans urged to add condoms in relief kits

While relief packages for hurricane victims usually consist of items including canned goods, tarpaulin, and water, Jamaicans are being encouraged to rethink what 'essential aid' may look like.

There is a growing call to include condoms, as, many persons will turn to human nature - sex - which is both a distraction and a response to the dullness left by Hurricane Melissa's destruction. Some Jamaicans have criticised this view, suggesting the affected individuals should focus on rebuilding and not replenishing.

However, popular social commentator and physician Dr Michael Abrahams insists that intimacy is a human need and people respond to stress differently.

"So in a situation like this, the response depends on the type of trauma, persons' personalities and their needs, the kind of relationship they have," he said. Abrahams said that those who are affected will find different ways to cope.

"Some people, because of the stress, will lock off, and that's not on their minds, but some people will want somebody hold dem," he said. Abrahams described some opposition to condoms in relief packages as blatantly "stupid or judgemental".

"In the aftermath of a hurricane, it's like you are telling people don't think about sex, and it's easy for you to say that when you are not in the situation and you can do what you want to. But you mean they shouldn't have sex until months after," he stated. Abrahams opined that there is a risk of increases in unintended pregnancies.

"I think there is a definite risk. If you have so many people being disadvantaged like that without work and out of a home, the risks are real. It's something that even Daryl Vaz posted about," he said. The transport minister, in post on X, noted a woman's request for birth control rather than food, as she already had three children and did not need a fourth. Abrahams, who is a gynaecologist, stressed that now is not a good time for women in vulnerable communities to get pregnant, as they don't have access to healthcare since the health centres are compromised.

"And when you are pregnant, you need antenatal [care], the access to healthcare is suboptimal... it is just not a good time to be pregnant," he said. Abrahams said he sent some condoms to the western sections of the island.

"They called me back and said man they really need more because when they went down there, there was a need for it."