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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addressing the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Blueprint Regional Capacity-building Workshop, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, on November 21.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addressing the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Blueprint Regional Capacity-building Workshop, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, on November 21.

Financial Coverage for Disaster Management in Place – Minister Mckenzie

The Government has put in place the necessary financial coverage for disaster management, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. Speaking at the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Blueprint Regional Capacity-building Workshop at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel...
Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, speaks with JIS News at his New Kingston offices recently.  
Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, speaks with JIS News at his New Kingston offices recently.  

St. Thomas Rescue Shows Strength of Disaster Response – ODPEM
Acting Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson.
Acting Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson.

Citizens Advised to Rely on Authorities for Information During Emergencies – ODPEM
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left) and Member of Parliament, East Rural St. Andrew, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, observe a breakaway along a section of roadway during a tour of the area on Saturday (Nov.18). Over 30 landslides were reported in the constituency.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left) and Member of Parliament, East Rural St. Andrew, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, observe a breakaway along a section of roadway during a tour of the area on Saturday (Nov.18). Over 30 landslides were reported in the constituency.

Damage Assessments Underway
A section of Market Road in Port Morant, St. Thomas, which is currently impassable due to a landslide.
A section of Market Road in Port Morant, St. Thomas, which is currently impassable due to a landslide.

St. Thomas Shelter Managers on Alert as Weather System Continues to Affect Jamaica

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Acting Deputy Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Michelle Edwards
Local Government

ODPEM to Stage More Earthquake Drills

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will be conducting more regular earthquake drills as part of its national strategic response. The simulation exercises will assist persons to be better prepared and help to ease anxiety about earthquakes among the public, Acting Deputy Director General at ODPEM, Michelle Edwards, told JIS News. “Once we can have them and...
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (centre), with Youth Mayors from Jamaica’s 14 Municipal Corporations during the Local Government & Community Month 2023 Youth Mayors’ Forum, held at the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on Thursday, November 16.
Local GovernmentYouth

Young Leaders from Municipal Corporations Take Part in Youth Mayors’ Forum

Promising young leaders from the 14 Municipal Corporations participated in the Local Government & Community Month 2023 Youth Mayors’ Forum, staged at the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on November 16. The event served as a platform for Youth Mayors to showcase their respective initiatives, aimed at improving their parishes. Addressing the assembly, Minister of Local...
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Local GovernmentPress Release

Flash Flood Watch Now in Effect for Jamaica

The Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM) wishes to advise the public that the Island is now under a Flash Flood Watch. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH means that flash flooding is possible, and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if...
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Acting Deputy Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Michelle Edwards, speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the Agency’s Head Office in Kingston on Thursday (November 9).
Foreign AffairsInformationLocal GovernmentOffice of the Prime Minister

National Risk Information Platform Being Developed

A National Risk Information Platform (NRIP) is being developed to support the work of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the National Data Spatial Management Branch (NDSMB). The platform’s development is being facilitated under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP), being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) with World Bank financing. Speaking during a...
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Desmond McKenzie, presents a plaque to retiree Elaine Coombs, during the St. Ann Municipal Corporation’s Staff Awards and Retirement Banquet held at Hibiscus Lodge Hotel in Ocho Rios on Saturday, November 11.
Local Government

Gov’t to Bolster Capacity of Municipal Corporations to Enforce Building Procedures

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be increasing the number of building officers employed to the island’s Municipal Corporations to bolster their capacity to enforce the building approval procedures. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who made the disclosure, said that the move has become necessary due to the increasing number of construction projects taking place across the...
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Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, addresses a press conference at his New Kingston offices, today (November 9). Pictured at right is Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie.
Health & WellnessLocal Government

Health Minister Calls on Persons to Take Action to Prevent Spread of Dengue

With the country recording 3,147 suspected, presumed and confirmed dengue cases, as well as nine deaths, there is a call for persons to take action to minimise the spread of the virus. Making the call, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said monitoring of water-storage containers for mosquito breeding must be done regularly, keeping surroundings “free...
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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), listens as Financial Controller, Universal Service Fund, Andrew McRae (centre), explains the features of the FortiGate Firewalls devices, at the Ministry’s offices on Hagley Park Road in Kingston on Friday (November 3). Also listening is Department Head, Network Services, eGov Jamaica Limited, Christopher McKenzie.
DevelopmentLocal GovernmentTechnology

10 Additional Municipal Corporations Receive Technological Devices Valued $12.3M

Ten additional Municipal Corporations are being provided with FortiGate devices, valued approximately $12.3 million, to strengthen their digital framework and boost their technological capabilities. The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, through collaboration with the National Works Agency (NWA), e-Gov Jamaica Limited and the Universal Service Fund (USF), was able to procure FortiGate Firewalls to improve the Corporations’ information...
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