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Bulletins
KINGSTON, September 20 (JIS) Bulletin # 1

Recovery and Reconstruction

The Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) is located on the third floor of the Development Bank of Jamaica on Oxford Road in Kingston.

The unit, which is expected to have a six-month life span, is managed by a multi-trustee board including representatives from the Cabinet, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the two main political parties, members of Government, Private Sector, trade unions, churches and NGOs.

Chief Executive Officer of the ONR, Danville Walker who has been seconded from the Electoral Office of Jamaica will stand as chairman.

"The hallmarks of the work of the board have to be transparency, effectiveness, efficiency and bipartisanship…the Jamaica hurricane Relief Fund will need the support of every Jamaican, Jamaicans overseas, all those who consider Jamaicans a friend and a partner and we are going to work to make sure that in the widest community possible there can be faith in the fund and the organizations that seek to manage it and disburse it," the CEO said.

The private sector has a total of four representatives on the board of the ONR.

President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, Beverley Lopez said that various organizations have pledged staffing for the ONR and cites some companies that will provide specialist assistance.

Ms. Lopez said, "Within the scope of needs, Grace Kennedy has seconded an individual to assist in project management, the field side of project management, the JPS has agreed to undertake payment for a Communications Company to start the communication process as the Prime Minister has said the media that normally work with our crime stop programme has also pledged production, and air time for communications programmes of the ONR."

Cabinet
Cabinet received reports from a number of agencies and ministries about recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan.

Cabinet will make certain policy decisions which will be announced in Parliament on Tuesday, September 21.

"Important policy decisions will be taken by the end of the day, and the Prime Minister will then speak to the nation through the Parliament tomorrow, in respect of major policy positions being adopted by the Government," said Information Minister, Burchell Whiteman.

Minister Whiteman said there have been significant infrastructural damages to schools as well as several facilities including computer laboratories and libraries.

"However, Principals right across the country are using very innovative approaches to ensure that the critical classes are held and that the students taking examinations receive as much of a full day's teaching as they can," Senator Whiteman said.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has spent some $17 million on relief supplies to assist persons affected by Hurricane Ivan. According to Director of Social Security, Faith Innerarity the Ministry has been actively providing food, bedding, toiletries and other supplies to various communities. She noted that the Ministry has been focusing on some of the worst affected areas across the island

"We know that persons are having a difficult time. The officers are working around the clock to ensure that all those that are affected and are in need will get assistance as early as possible," she assured.

Ms. Innerarity is appealing to persons in need of assistance to visit or call the Social Security Office in their parish so that an assessment can be done or immediate assistance given.

In the meantime a survey carried out by 500 assessment officers deployed last week to measure the damage caused by the hurricane to individuals, property, livestock and crops is expected to be completed by September 26.

The data collected will be recorded by the Ministry and relayed to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, which will in turn prepare vouchers.

The vouchers will then be distributed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security at selected venues in each parish at a time to be announced. The vouchers will allow persons to purchase material from hardware merchants, or other items that are approved by the Ministry.