Still Need for Assistance – Tourism Minister

Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba has said that while the island “bounced back” very quickly following Hurricane Ivan in September, there was still need for assistance as many people experienced significant personal losses.
“Our farmers suffered great loss, especially in sugar cane and bananas. We lost livestock and cash crops. There are still needs in Jamaica. A lot of people, especially in the centre of the island suffered greatly – roofs were blown away and some people lost houses. There has been a lot of personal loss and there has been flooding. We have had to move entire communities so there is still need for assistance,” she said.
The Minister was speaking recently in London, at a meeting of the Jamaican community held at the Jamaican High Commission.
She thanked members of the Jamaican community in the United Kingdom for their concern and support during and after the Hurricane. She credited the recovery in the Manufacturing and Tourism sectors to the workers who, despite their personal losses, went back to work.
“Manufacturing and Tourism have rebounded quickly. What was wonderful was that immediately after the storm, I saw Jamaicans who were hurting, who had suffered personal damage, but went to work. I saw Jamaican workers at their best,” the Minister said. She emphasised that it was important that the tourism and the productive sectors were back on track quickly, so that the country’s economic life continued during the period of rebuilding and rehabilitation.
“We have bounced back very quickly. Most businesses are running, our hotel sector is 90 per cent up and running, and they will probably have full houses for the winter season,” the Minister said. High Commissioner Maxine Roberts used the community meeting to thank the Jamaican community and friends of Jamaica for their support of the country’s rebuilding efforts.
“The positive response meant that the High Commission was able to dispatch to Jamaica more than $3 million or over