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Residents of the female ward at the Morant Bay Infirmary in St. Thomas have been relocated to another section of the facility, following extensive damage to the ward by Hurricane Ivan. Secretary/Manager at the St. Thomas Parish Council, Clinton Gordon, told JIS News that the roof and structure of the ward succumbed to the heavy rainfall associated with the hurricane...

Preliminary estimate of the damage to sections of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), the nation's largest health care facility, could run into millions of dollars. Currently, the hospital has assembled an assessment team to evaluate the extent and cost of the damage due to Hurricane Ivan, which wreaked havoc across the island on September 10. "We will have to appeal...

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has reported no significant damage to the hotel sector from Hurricane Ivan. JHTA President, Godfrey Dyer told JIS News, that the hotel sector feared "very well," with only minor structural damage to some properties. "The hotel sector has feared much, much better than we anticipated. Only minor damage has been done to structures....

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has proposed the establishment of a special unit to co-ordinate the national reconstruction effort, following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. He said its terms of reference would be presented to Cabinet. The Prime Minister, who was speaking at a meeting of the National Disaster Committee at Jamaica House on Sunday (September 12), made it clear...

Her Majesty The Queen has written to Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, expressing sympathy to the people of Jamaica who were affected by the passage of Hurricane Ivan.Following is the text of the Queen's message: "I was very shocked to learn of the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan as it passed across Jamaica. Please...

The Government is making $100,000 available to each Member of Parliament (MP) to enable them to respond immediately to the demands in their constituencies, following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who made the announcement at a meeting of the National Disaster Committee at Jamaica House yesterday (September 12), said the allocation was in addition to sums...

The St. Ann branch of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), has been co-ordinating relief efforts for over 300 persons in Cave Valley, St. Ann, who lost their homes, as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Ivan. Parish Co-ordinator, Alvin Clarke told JIS News that the community has been totally submerged due to flooding. He noted...

The three policemen who were shot in confrontations with gunmen during the period that Hurricane Ivan battered Jamaica, have been treated and released from hospital. Confirmation of their condition was disclosed by Inspector Michael Henry of the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), in an interview today (September 13) with JIS News. The three policemen include Derrick "Cowboy" Knight. The names of...

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) has reported that electricity has been restored to some critical areas in Kingston and Montego Bay, even as the majority of the island is still without power supply. Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Corporate Communications Manager at the JPSCo, Winsome Callum said that up to this morning, about five per cent of...

The Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston is reporting that all is back to normal, with its electricity now fully restored. The hospital, which had heavy traffic during the severe conditions related to Hurricane Ivan, experienced no interruption in the delivery of service. Gloria Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Bustamante Hospital told JIS News that the hospital was able...

The south coast link between Kingston and Morant Bay has been cut, as the roadway at Roselle, St. Thomas has been eroded by storm surges caused by Hurricane Ivan. The alternative route through Cedar Valley is also blocked by fallen trees and land slippage. Secretary/Manager at the St. Thomas Parish Council, Clinton Gordon told JIS News that the roadway at...

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), has commenced damage assessment in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Dispatched some 12 hours ago in all parishes, JPSCo's emergency teams have been systematically assessing the damage to all equipment, transmission and distribution lines. "This is a very critical phase in the assessment process. We must assess the damage before we can energise anything...