ODPEM Continues to Maintain Fully Activated National Response System

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) continues to maintain a fully activated national response system, sustaining coordinated relief, assessment, and distribution efforts across the island.

Speaking at a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery at Jamaica House, on November 26, Director General of ODPEM, Commander Alvin Gayle, reported that ODPEM continues to coordinate “national [and] international aid support through the National Emergency Operations Centre, which remains fully active”.

He emphasised that the disaster response is being executed through an extensive partnership framework.

“This collaborative framework brings together GOJ [Government of Jamaica] ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), community organisations and all our international partners to ensure a coordinated, efficient and comprehensive response to disaster,” he said.

Commander Gayle explained that the existing framework “emphasises resource sharing between stakeholders to minimise duplication, whilst maximising the effort,” ensuring aid is deployed fairly, quickly, and without waste.

Relief distribution remains robust, with the national system delivering 209,000 food packages to affected households, so far.

“Other relief supplies, including tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, hygiene kits and water have also been distributed from the national system,” he said.

Distribution is supported by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) through the country’s reception, staging, onward movement and integration operations, which he said, “remains fully operational” and is equipped to “accommodate distribution of recovery stores”.

Additionally, Commander Gayle noted that daily assessments continue to determine priority areas. On November 25, 52 communities were served, with operations expanding significantly.

“Today some 140 communities will be served,” he reported, adding that the full schedule for list of communities to be served today is available on the Support Jamaica website.

Shelter numbers continue to decline as citizens transition back home. “As of 10 p.m. last evening, 113 shelters remained open, accommodating some 1,441 persons,” he noted.

Westmoreland continues to record the highest shelter usage.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has completed more than 22,000 Jamaica Disaster Needs and Impact Assessments, mainly in the hardest-hit western parishes.

A multi-sectoral committee is now working to finalise all remaining assessments in the coming weeks.

The ODPEM Director General noted that the agency’s hotlines at 876-906-7668 and 876-967-1105, along with the Support Jamaica reporting platform, remain available for citizens to request assistance or share critical information.

He reaffirmed the country’s unified recovery posture, adding that the ODPEM is running a 24-hour operation. “Every agency of government is in lockstep. The private sector and our international friends are by our side,” he said.