United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, addresses the media on the arrival of relief supplies from the U.S. Government for hurricane victims, at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. From left are James Harmon, deputy director USAID\Jamaica, and Ronald Jackson, director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

A cargo plane with relief supplies valuing US$398,000 (J$27.86 million) arrived in the island yesterday from the United States to assist persons affected by Hurricane Dean.

The relief supplies, which were donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), include water containers, medicine, plastic sheeting, and disaster hygiene kits, among other items.

U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, who received the supplies, which arrived in a white air cargo plane at the Norman Manley International Airport, said US$150,000 (J$10 million) of the goods would be allocated to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), $1.7 million (US$25,000) for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and another US$100,000 ($6.9 million) of the supplies would be sent to the Pan American Health Organisation.

"We are so happy to make this start and we hope that this is (only) the beginning," she said.

Ronald Jackson, director general of the ODPEM, who accepted the supplies, said they would be distributed to the worst affected areas, such as Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon; Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine and Caribbean Terrace, Kingston.

"These items will go a far way in addressing those priority needs that we have identified in these communities," he said.

Focusing on the priorities

Mr. Jackson also appealed to persons who have been affected to be patient. He said the agency would be focusing on the priorities, which he has identified as roofing. He said more than 1,500 roofs were affected in three parishes on the south coast.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jackson said that some 2,500 persons were still in shelters. He said the supplies would be distributed through the NGOs, such as Salvation Army and the Adventist Relief Agency.

Ambassador LaGrange Johnson said former ambassadors to Jamaica, Sue Cobb, Glen Holden and herself, would be donating $60,000 to begin a private fund with the Missionaries of the Poor and the American Friends of Jamaica to provide food and shelter to more than 1,000 families that lost their homes during the storm.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jackson said the country has received several pledges both locally and internationally. These included the Spanish Government, which will be sending a cargo plane with supplies tomorrow.