ODPEM to Distribute Relief Supplies to Eastern Parishes

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is mobilising supplies for distribution to citizens in eastern parishes, which were hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson, said that the agency is distributing food supplies and other resources to persons in Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary.

“A team is in the air doing …reconnaissance specifically looking at communities that are cut off. Once they come in, we are detailing a relief mission into Roberts Fields, Cane River and Hudderstadt, to see what those needs may be and if necessary provide some ration in the interim.”

Mr. Jackson, who spoke with JIS News early Friday, said 309 persons were being housed in nine shelters across the island.  This number, he said, will continue to decline as normalcy is restored.

By Ruthann Carr, JIS Reporter