LAST YEAR'S May rains that were caused by a surface trough cost the Government over $203 million, according to a document which was circulated at yesterday's meeting of the National Disaster Committee, chaired by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Devon Road, St. Andrew office.
The parishes that experienced the most extensive damage were Clarendon, St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew, Portland and St. Thomas. Several communities were impacted by the event which caused several ladnslides, flooding and debris flows.
ASSESSMENT PAPER
A damage assessment position paper was prepared in order to establish a framework for damage assessment in Jamaica. The position paper looked at issues such as the vision for the damage assessment, work programme activities and the possible uses of damage assessment information.
A damage assessment of the event was conducted which indicated that a total of $203,437,750 in damage occurred. The bulk of the damage was concentrated in the infrastructure and agriculture sectors.
Meantime, the national disaster fund stood at $22 million as at March 31, 2004, compared to $18 million for March 31, 2003.
According to the damage assessment report, the areas of concern that will affect how damage assessment can, and will be, rest in the ability to garner the resources required to effectively carry out the activities of the committee.
