Gunfire barred Red Cross THE JAMAICA Red Cross was unable to pick up bodies in the troubled areas of West Kingston for days because of the shootings and roadblocks, Lt. Col. Stacey Thompson, chairman of Red Cross Emergency Services, said on Tuesday. However, he said that services such as the removal of bodies, would resume immediately and Red Cross was actually using an ambulance from the St. John Ambulance, for the purpose. He said that Courts Jamaica Ltd. was generously donating an ambulance to the Red Cross which would be working with the group, Hope International, to provide First Aid services on Hope's behalf. The Red Cross, which normally deals with natural disasters, had been active in the West Kingston area, Lt. Col. Thompson said, but because of the violence which began on Saturday, its movements were restricted. He said the Red Cross had an on-going Meals-on-Wheels programme that provides some 60 to 70 meals daily for indigents and other people in the area. "That has been interrupted for the last three or so days but we are reviving that as of today (Tuesday) and we are providing additional assistance in terms of more meals..."
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