Taking lessons from the onslaught of Hurricane Dean, the Government has resolved to relocate residents in areas vulnerable to disasters.

In an address to the nation last night, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said relief to victims was putting pressure on public funds.

Hurricane Dean, she reported, left $1 billion in damage to the agricultural sector and several communities, particularly on the island's south coast, devastated.

"The devastation at Caribbean Terrace, Rocky Point, Portland Cottage, Old Harbour Bay and sections of St. Thomas should not be repeated. We cannot provide for every type of natural disaster, but we can at least do those things within our power to minimise loss of life and property," she said.

She added that a meeting is to be convened shortly with a number of key planning agencies, including the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Jamaica Institute of Engineers, the Jamaica Institute of Architects and non-governmental organisations with a view to relocating residents in areas prone to flooding and disaster.

"We will identify no-build areas safer sites and develop a programme for relocation and zoning which will have the full force of the law," she added.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also noted that a plan is well under way to improve the nation's emergency shelters. Under the direction of Kingsley Thomas, head of the National Recovery Programme, safer buildings are to be identified and used as shelters in the event of a disaster, while more meticulous programmes are also to be created to manage shelters.

Full report of recovery efforts

The Prime Minister also gave a full report of recovery efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane, noting that 85 per cent and 92 per cent of the island had received electricity and water, respectively, paving the way for the holding of the general election on Monday.

Government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations and churches have also stepped up efforts to assist hurricane victims in the worst affected areas of the island, she said, providing millions of dollars in donations of cash and supplies to distribute to hurricane victims.

"As your Prime Minister, I will do everything in my power to help each one of you and I will continue to lead and drive the recovery and rebuilding effort," Mrs. Simpson Miller said.