Jamaica Being Considered As Staging Site for Humanitarian Aid

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, has disclosed that Jamaica is being considered as a site to provide humanitarian aid to countries in need of assistance due to disasters.

“In the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti last year January, Jamaica was a staging area for humanitarian intervention in that neighbouring country. It is out of these efforts on the part of the Jamaica Red Cross that Jamaica is being considered as a site where this type of intervention of a humanitarian nature can be staged on a regular basis," said Mr. Brown.      

The State Minister made the disclosure at the opening of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Jamaica Red Cross forum for media practitioners,  held on January 19, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston.

He argued that not only is the country strategically located for that type of support in the wider region, it also has the capacity and the capability to deliver on these interventions.

The earthquake which struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed more than 250,000  persons and left 1.5 million homeless.

In the meantime, Mr. Brown noted that the forum for media practitioners is reflective of the Red Cross’ effort to ensure the development of a cadre of media practitioners skilled in understanding, interpreting and reporting on incidences of internal disturbances.

"The role of the media is very important. It is not just about reporting, but you also facilitate the access of humanitarian aid in situations where these disturbances do occur,” Mr. Brown said.

"It is my hope that you will use this forum as a tool to develop and implement best practices in responding and reporting on situations that could threaten the stability and development of the country as well as the welfare of citizens," the State Minister added.

Mr. Brown  said the Ministry looks forward to strengthening the relationship between the country and the Red Cross.

For his part, President of the Jamaica Red Cross, Martin Gooden, said it is important that humanitarian issues are given adequate attention.

"Ours is a task filled with diversity and numerous obstacles, but we have to be cheerful and give light to tedious circumstances. We are beginning the year 2012 positively amidst many changes in the country and we are pleased to provide this forum for media practitioners and others to increase their understanding of our duty to the vulnerable people," Mr. Gooden said.

The ICRC, established in 1863, works worldwide to provide humanitarian help for people affected by conflict and armed violence and to promote the laws that protect victims of war.

An independent and neutral organisation, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ICRC employs some 12,000 people in 80 countries, and is  financed mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.