ODPEM Receives Relief Supplies From Digicel

Relief supplies from Digicel and the Digicel Foundation were handed over to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), today (January 16), to advance recovery efforts in communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, welcomed the donation and underscored the need for sustained national and corporate support, noting that many affected areas remain far from full recovery.

“This is not going to be a week, two weeks or a few months. It is going to be a few years, and, therefore, everything that is done outside of Government helps to keep the recovery effort going and to assist people who are in dire need,” the Minister said.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Garmex Free Zone on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, Minister Vaz shared observations from recent visits to western parishes, including Westmoreland and St. James, where residents continue to face challenging conditions.

“People are still cleaning out their houses… . Some houses are completely destroyed and there has been no rebuild… It is still very disturbing when you travel down there and see the conditions… the dust when it is sunny and the mud when it rains,” Mr. Vaz noted.

The Minister called on Corporate Jamaica, charitable organisations, the diaspora and individual citizens to remain mindful of the ongoing struggles in Western Jamaica.

“It is very easy to become complacent, especially when you are in Kingston, but that is not the situation in western Jamaica. We must remember our brothers and sisters every day for as long as it takes to be fully recovered,” he added.

For his part, Digicel Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Murad, said the company has maintained an active presence in affected communities since the passage of the hurricane and remains committed to supporting recovery efforts.

“It’s been almost three months, and we haven’t stopped and as a business and through the Foundation, we are still on the ground every single day trying to help communities,” Mr. Murad said.

He explained that the donation comprises a range of critical items, including mini refrigeration units, blood-pressure monitors, tarpaulins, and other supplies, aimed at addressing evolving needs on the ground.

“From mini refrigeration to blood-pressure monitors to tarpaulins, we can’t stop and we need to be relentless… . Our job is to reconnect the country as quickly as possible,” Mr. Murad said.

Senior Director, Mitigation, Planning and Research at ODPEM, Michelle Edwards, said the donation reflects a strong partnership and responsiveness to the expressed needs of affected residents.

“This handover represents more than a transfer of supplies. It reflects responsiveness, partnership and a clear commitment to meeting the real and expressed needs of our people following the passage of Hurricane Melissa,” Ms. Edwards said.

She noted that Digicel was among the first entities to respond after the hurricane, initially providing food, water, hygiene supplies and other essentials, before expanding its support as recovery needs evolved.

“In direct response to those needs… Digicel is today handing over a 20-foot container of critical medical supplies, water treatment items, equipment for vector control, chainsaws for debris clearance, tarpaulins for temporary housing and essential health monitoring devices,” she explained.

Ms. Edwards said the items will support disease prevention, environmental sanitation, medical outreach and ongoing recovery operations across affected communities.