Government Establishes Website to Mobilise Support After Hurricane Melissa Passes

The Government has launched a website to mobilise support, channel relief and coordinate recovery efforts in the aftermath of Category Five Hurricane Melissa.

The Support Jamaica website, which is an online platform, can be accessed at supportjamaica.gov.jm and is developed by the Government of Jamaica.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, provided details during a press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston, on October 28.

“We have already been made aware of some nefarious individuals trying to collect money on behalf of Jamaica. We remind you that this will be the official site. If it doesn’t have .gov.jm, it’s not legitimate, it’s not an official government of Jamaica site,” she said.

Explaining features of the website she said: “In it, you’re going to have a donate now page, where you can donate using your credit or debit card, and you will also be able to give pledges. You will also have information on ODPEM’s bank accounts; if you want to do a transfer, you can do so there.”

The Minister further explained that a new innovation on the site will enable persons to provide update on emergencies.

“If there is an issue that you see in your area and you want to upload a picture, maybe there is flooding, or a town that has been cut off, you can actually notify us through that website,” she said.

She added, too, that it has an interactive shelter locator. “It is all about mobilising resources, so it’s a resource for those locally, for those in the diaspora and anywhere in the world that want to give support to Jamaica,” she said.

It was donated by Amber Group, in consultation with other partners.

Meanwhile, Dr. Morris Dixon indicated that 25,000 tourists remain on the island.

She said that the Ministry of Tourism has indicated that they are coordinating with all the hotels.

“There is no need to worry. The Ministry of Tourism has its centre that is in constant communication with all of the hotels, has been providing support and so we are keeping those tourists as safe as we possibly can,” the Minister said.