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Following preliminary investigation of the agricultural sector in Manchester, it has been revealed that ground provisions such as yam, irish potatoes and vegetables are among the severely affected crops in the parish, as a result of Hurricane Dean. Speaking with JIS News, Neville Burrell, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Parish Manager for Manchester, said that some 80 acres of yam have...

The Trelawny branch of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is currently assessing the hurricane damage to crops in the parish, with the objective of helping farmers to replant. "The agricultural sector, especially in the southern area, was most affected by Hurricane Dean. Our yam farmers and those farmers who cultivate plantains and bananas had tremendous problems," Parish Manager for...

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Jamaica, Michael Conway, has praised the airline's staff for their performance in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean. "The staff has been putting in a great effort, even though they themselves were not spared by Hurricane Dean," said the CEO in an interview with JIS News, today (Aug. 23). "The national carrier has...

All the shelters that were opened in Trelawny prior to the passage of Hurricane Dean, have been closed. Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Dion Hylton-Lewis, told JIS News that a total of 30 shelters were opened to accommodate persons who might be affected by the hurricane, but to date all 30 shelters are closed. She said that the Trelawny Parish Disaster Committee...

The National Housing Trust (NHT), under a joint-venture arrangement with the building societies, has established a special $500 million programme to provide loans to persons affected by Hurricane Dean, to undertake emergency repairs. Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, who made this announcement during a broadcast to the nation on (Aug. 22), said that the interest rate on the loans will...

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has restored electricity supply to 20 per cent or approximately 135,000 of its 560,000 customers. These customers are primarily in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. James, Trelawny, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Ann. Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, in a broadcast to the nation on (Aug. 22) on the country's recovery efforts after...

As part of the government's hurricane relief effort 90,000 households, which come under the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) will immediately benefit from a special one-off allowance valued at $2000 per household. This was announced by the Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller during a broadcast to the nation on (Aug. 22) on the country's recovery effort after...

Prime Minster, Portia Simpson Miller, has announced that the government will be providing $225 million in emergency assistance to aid in the recovery of the agricultural sector after the passage of Hurricane Dean. The Prime Minister, in a broadcast to the nation on (Aug. 22) on the country's recovery effort after the passage of Hurricane Dean said that "there will...

New York City Councilmember, Leroy Comrie has pledged support for the recovery and relief effort now underway in the wake of Hurricane Dean, which lashed Jamaica on August 19. Addressing a reception for a visiting team of Little League Baseball players from Portland, Jamaica at City Hall, Lower Manhattan, on August 21, Mr. Comrie, who was born in the USA...

Members of the Jamaican community in the United Kingdom (UK) have started to send donations to the Jamaican High Commission for its Hurricane Dean Relief Fund. The Fund was launched on Monday (August 20), in response to Hurricane Dean that caused widespread damage to the island on August 19. The High Commission has said that funds collected would be sent...

A plane loaded with emergency relief supplies valued at more than US$398,000 arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport from the United States, on (August 22), to assist families affected by Hurricane Dean, which battered the island on August 19. The items, which included mattresses, blankets, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and water containers were donated by the United States Agency...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is assisting vulnerable groups in the society, who have been affected by the onslaught of Hurricane Dean. In an interview with JIS News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alvin McIntosh said the vulnerable groups to be targeted included persons with disabilities, the elderly and those who are destitute and in greater need as...