Shelly-Ann Thompson and Dionne Rose, Staff Reporters

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has advised persons that instead of bombarding its office, they should wait until they are assessed for hurricane-relief assistance.

Alvin McIntosh, Permanent Secretary at the ministry, told The Gleaner yesterday that, since the passage of the hurricane, persons have been visiting the offices to register for relief assistance.

Mr. McIntosh said that this procedure was unnecessary as door-to-door assessments, which are being coordinated by the ministry, have to be conducted and have already begun.

"You have people who have converged at the office saying that they have been damaged. But this is just the initial stage of the procedure, as the information given must be verified," Mr. McIntosh said.

He added: "They should really give the investigators some time to get to their homes."

From about 6:30 a.m. yesterday, several persons were in line to register for relief aid at the ministry's downtown Kingston office, staff members said.

The Permanent Secretary said that, next Friday, the assessment of damage, which commenced on Tuesday, is expected to conclude.

After next Friday, persons who are in need of assistance and were not assessed should then visit or call the ministry, Mr. McIntosh said.

"We are doing investigations and, at the end of the exercise, we will make a determination as to the level of benefit that would be given," he said.

Households assessed

Since this week, at least 10,000 households have been assessed by the ministry in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, for having sustained property damage.

This number also includes some of those who have walked into the ministry's office.

The parishes that have been assessed thus far include St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

He said the team of investigators conductingthe assessment had been increased from 350 to 600 officers.

The team includes personnel from the ministry, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Social Development Commission, the Jamaica Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency and the Poor Relief Department.