Ronald Jackson (left), director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and Sean J. Osner, general development office for the United States Agency for International Development, rip open one of the packs of relief supplies donated by the US government. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

An estimated 188 families displaced by Tropical Storm Gustav can expect to receive relief over the course of the weekend, following the arrival of aid supplies from several organisations.

Yesterday morning, the first batch of commodities from the United States government, including blankets, hygiene kits and water containers, arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) received US$300,000 (J$21.6 million) in assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

ODPEM's requirements

James Heg, chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy, handed over the relief supplies to Ronald Jackson, director general of ODPEM, yesterday. Heg said the supplies Jamaica has received were stored in a warehouse in Miami, Florida, and have been catered to fit ODPEM's requirements.

Karen Hilliard, USAID mission director, disclosed that US$100,000 (J$7.2 million) of the aid would facilitate ODPEM's continual recovery and relief operation.

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation is also committing J$6 million to assist with the disaster relief efforts. The funds will go towards the reconstruction of schools damaged by the storm, in addition to assisting communities affected by the storm.

Today a shipment of items is scheduled to arrive from Miami, courtesy of Spain. Those items will be deployed with immediate effect.

Members of the Jamaica Red Cross have been working closely with ODPEM to distribute aid and relief to those most affected by the storm in addition to visiting areas and providing counselling sessions.

Jackson told The Gleaner that communities in the eastern parishes, such as Portland, St Thomas and rural St Andrew, are in need of relief. Much of the supplies may have to be airlifted to areas such as Spring Bank in St Thomas, as flooding, damaged roads and landslides have marooned many people.

"The focus is on temporary recovery for persons whose homes have been affected and those who have no water supply," he said. "Vulnerable persons living in substandard housing will be relocated, while others will receive temporary roofing."