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As Jamaica recuperates from the heavy rains associated with Hurricane Wilma, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is continuing to carry out its relief efforts islandwide. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Disaster Preparedness Committee last week, Director General of the ODPEM, Dr. Barbara Carby said foam pads, blankets, and utensils have been sent to the...

The involvement of citizens in collaboration with local authorities in times of disaster play a significant role in disaster management and more effective relief efforts. Mayor of Portmore, Councillor George Lee expressed this view in an interview with JIS News. The Mayor said a community's involvement in disaster preparedness and alleviation exercises was critical and makes the job of Local...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has begun assessing damage caused to the country's agricultural sector by torrential rains associated with Hurricane Wilma. The more than five days of heavy showers has caused severe flooding in many farming communities. Deputy Executive Director of RADA, Thomas Burton told JIS News that each parish had a database of farmers and their activities...

The latest statistics from the National Works Agency (NWA) reveal that 117 roads were reported blocked up to October 19, while some 32 were partially cleared to allow single lane access. Another 35 roads were reported flooded. Speaking at a JIS 'Think Tank' on October 19, Chief Executive Officer of the NWA, Ivan Anderson said that the agency was working...

As the Jamaica Fire Brigade prepares for its annual Fire Safety Awareness Week (October 23 to October 29), several activities have been planned by the Portland Division to observe the occasion. George Brown, District Officer for the Portland division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, told JIS News that the main objectives of the week were to highlight the threat of...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Land and Environment, Donovan Stanberry said today (October 21), that the Ministry now had the necessary funds to begin working on implementing more effective disaster mitigation strategies. The Permanent Secretary pointed out that with the available funding, a sustainable environmental assessment policy as well as hazard mitigation measures, including a hazard mitigation policy and...

GraceKennedy and Western Union have pledged over US$200,000 to continue their support of Jamaica's educational system through the IPLEDGE programme. IPLEDGE is an acronym for 'I Promise to Lend Encouragement to Develop Growth in Education' and it seeks to provide English textbooks to over 300,000 grades 4 to 6 students in primary schools for the 2005/06 school year. The programme...

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Michael de la Bastide is optimistic that once the CARICOM (CSME) becomes operational in early 2006 there will be an inflow of cases to be tried under the Original Jurisdiction of the Court. The CCJ Head said while not able to predict how heavy the inflow would be or the time of...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is distributing food and medical supplies to communities in St. Catherine that have been marooned by flooding and land slippages associated with hurricane Wilma. St. Catherine Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Patricia Lewis told JIS News that cleaning agents, food and medical supplies have been delivered to persons in communities, such as Colbeck...

Jamaican born textile artist and designer, Doreen Gittens has received the Black Enterprise International Business of the Year Award for 2005. Mrs. Gitten's company, Archipelago Textiles, produces exclusive hand-woven fine textiles for interior fabrics, soft furnishings and fashion garments. She told JIS news that she was very proud for being nominated and actually winning the award. "The award is very...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reporting that the Main road to the Community of Pedro River in St Ann is currently inundated. Motorists are being asked to avoid this area. The Pedro River Flood Alert Team has been monitoring the flood gauges and has reported that the flood level has risen an additional 2 feet....

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson said that Trans Jamaica may wish to re-examine the provisions that have been made to see if any changes are required to ensure that the toll highway can withstand unusual levels of rainfall such as those experienced as a result of Hurricane Wilma. The Prime Minister said that the cost to include any such provisions...