Relief efforts in the community of Portland Cottage in Clarendon took a blow on Sunday morning, when residents woke up to discover that a trailer with building supplies had disappeared from the community under the cloak of nightfall.

The 40-foot trailer had lumber which was allocated to rebuild roofs that were damaged during the recent passage of Hurricane Dean. The container, which belonged to Jamaica's leading charitable institution, Food For the Poor (FFTP), had an estimated value of $1.2 million.

Natalie Bartley, a 25-year-old mother of three, is one resident who is ruing the theft. This is a double blow for Ms. Bartley, who, in addition to having her house burnt down in May, has had to spend nights on the beach near the community with only plastic and other pieces of material for a roof.

"Mi was looking forward to having my housetop put on, cause right now me a hustle it on the beach, and more time the plastic make bare noise inna de night," she lamented.

Ms. Bartlett, who operates a shop on the beach, is hoping the perpetrators are caught and she has revealed that the community has taken the situation badly.

"People are very angry, it affect all of us, all of we cry. I am here fretting right now cause I don't know what going to happen."

Early days yet

The May Pen Police, who are investigating the disappearance of the trailer, said it was early days yet, as the FFTP was completing its formal complaint about the theft.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Cleon Marsh has, however, revealed that the police have seized a quantity of building supplies in St. Ann and a person has been held. However, investigations are ongoing to ascertain whether there is a link with the removal of the FFTP trailer.

FFTP Executive Director, Bradley Finzi Smith, is disheartened at the theft and is hoping that the goods are returned so that residents in Portland Cottage can put their lives back together.

"There is a lot of anger, because people are wondering what is going to happen to their roofs," he said.

Mr. Finzi Smith noted that FFTP was working on other projects islandwide, as a part of its hurricane recovery project and the illegal seizure of the trailer would severely hamper the efforts in Portland Cottage.