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The National Water Commission (NWC) is working to restore piped water to all sections of the island and is appealing to the public to be a little more patient as it attempts to put back its systems into operation. As at Friday (Sept.17) 150 of the 400 water systems had been put back into operation by the NWC, with the...

'One Bright Child', the debut novel by Jamaican writer Pat Cumper, was re-launched in London last Thursday (Sept.16), with part proceeds to go to the Voluntary Organization for the Upliftment of Children (VOUCH) United Kingdom, a charity that supports children in need in Jamaica. The launch was held at the Jamaican High Commission in London. Ms. Cumper, who studied at...

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has said that the country's external creditors have been assured that Jamaica would meet all its obligations when they become due. In a broadcast to the nation on Sunday (Sept. 19), Mr. Patterson said the confidence of the private capital market in the Jamaican economy had been maintained despite the effects of Hurricane Ivan, as...

The Registrar General's Department (RGD) has announced new measures to improve its service to overseas-based customers. Dr. Patricia Holness, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency, told JIS News in a recent interview that the new measures, which came out of a recent outreach exercise in Canada and the United States, were designed to increase efficiency through the effective use...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has deployed 500 Assessment Officers islandwide to ascertain the level of loss and damage suffered by persons as a result of Hurricane Ivan. Already, a house-to-house assessment is underway, and the level of assistance victims will receive depends to a great extent, on the level of damage suffered. "Whatever the case, once...

Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James is now back in full operation and ready to receive all patients.Clinton Pickering, Public Relations Officer for the hospital, told JIS News that electricity and water supplies have been fully restored and the out patient clinic, which was suspended due to the hurricane, would be reopened on Tuesday (Sept. 21). He said that no...

An emergency meeting of Jamaican nationals in New York was convened at the office of the Consul General in Manhattan last Wednesday (Sept.15) to mobilize the community's response to the relief effort in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. The meeting, which was hosted by Consul General, Dr. Basil K. Bryan, included leaders of community groups and organizations, members of the...

The Jamaican Consulate in Miami has opened a 'Hurricane Ivan Relief Fund' in collaboration with the Wachovia Bank in Florida. Monetary donations can be made at any Wachovia Bank, account number 2000023606489. Checks can also be mailed to the Consulate General at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 842 - FL 33131. Meanwhile, several Jamaican community groups and businesses have collaborated...

President of the National Water Commission (NWC) E.G. Hunter has reported that 150 of its water supply systems were now in operation, which account for 75 per cent of total output. Mr. Hunter, who was speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Sept.17, said that immediately after the hurricane, systems were mobilized and attempts were made to restore...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has provided relief items valued at approximately $400,000 to 62 shelters in Clarendon between Saturday, September 11 and Wednesday, September 15. Delroy Palmer the Ministry's Parish Manager for Clarendon, told JIS News that the items included rice, flour, canned meat, cooking oil, powdered milk and porridge mixes, toiletries, disinfectant and bleach. According to...

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) has carried out major restoration work in Clarendon, which has resulted in electricity being restored to most sections of May Pen. Winsome Callum, Manager of Corporate Communications at the JPSCo told JIS News that the company had restored electricity to critical locations, such as the May Pen and Chapelton Hospitals as well as a...

An additional nine schools across the island have indicated to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture that they will be able to reopen for classes by Monday, September 20. The schools are Denbigh High in Clarendon and Melrose, New Day and Dupont Primary and Junior High schools; Campion College; Dunrobin Undergrad School and St. Joseph's Teacher' College all in...