Persons urged to take food to shelters

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government Reform, Hon. Robert Montague is reminding persons who find it necessary to use shelters during storms or other disasters, that they must take their own food supplies to these facilities.
“No food is provided in a shelter until after the event. Persons who have homes that are destroyed cannot return, and that is when the welfare committee chips in to provide food. The rules of the shelter is that you are to bring at least two days supply of food, clothing and medication,” he emphasised, at yesterday’s (November 2) sitting of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Montague was responding to concerns raised by Member of Parliament for South East St. Ann, Lisa Hanna, about supplies and amenities for shelters, in light of the approach of Tropical Depression Tomas.
The State Minister emphasised that it is the responsibility of citizens to proceed to shelters with the minimum requirements. He further appealed to persons to desist from destroying schools, churches, and other facilities that are used as shelters, during their stay.
Meanwhile, he noted that Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding has spearheaded efforts to acquire six additional rapid response boats to be used in vulnerable communities, which have experienced flooding and rising waters. These are to arrive by November 5, Mr. Montague indicated.
“The local authorities are in touch with persons who own boats, to be utilised in an emergency. The concept is that each local authority is to be able to deal with communities for at least three days, until we can have a national response.so all the disaster committees have been activated and all the disaster plans are now in place,” he told the House.