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BULLETIN #24
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 6, 2004 - Noon
Contributions towards relief efforts reach $800 million
The Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) has reported that to date, $800
million in contributions have been committed towards the relief effort. This
includes $200 million from DIGICEL, the telecommunication giant, and $400 million
from National Housing Trust. This figure however, excludes $465 million recently
handed over by the United States for International Development (USAID), which
is being used for a number of specific projects.
In addition, British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) will be contributing
$5 million to the Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund and the Master Builders Association
of Jamaica will donate $1 million.
Damage assessment exercise extended
The damage assessment exercise has been extended to eliminate the disparity
between the number of reported cases of damage and, the number of assessments
completed.
So far, approximately 64,000 assessment forms have been completed and, 40,000 processed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
To expedite the process, assessment officers; members of staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and volunteers have been working everyday to ensure full coverage of persons affected by Hurricane Ivan.
Funding sought for reconstruction of latrines
A special request has been made for funding to assist with the re-establishment
of 1200 pit latrines across the parish of Manchester.
Many households are in urgent need, as Hurricane Ivan destroyed numerous existing structures. The ministry will be moving swiftly to replace the sanitary facilities especially in high-risk areas to prevent a potential outbreak of diseases. Some of the areas being addressed include South Manchester, Christiana, Pike, Porus, New Forest, Trinity and Downs.
NWA extends closure of road
The National Works Agency (NWA) has extended the closure of the Sandy River
to McNie via the Rhoden Hall main road in Clarendon from October 4 to October
11.
The NWA was forced to extend the period of closure due to difficulties encountered while excavating a huge boulder adjacent to the roadway. The removal of the boulder is critical to the widening of the roadway, sections of which broke away during the passage of hurricane Ivan.
In the meantime, the NWA is urging the motoring public to observe the instructions
of the flag persons and posted warning signs, particularly during blasting periods.
Relief benefit concert yields US$4000
Donations totalling US$4000 were presented to the Jamaica's Consul General in
Miami, Florida, Ricardo Allicock, at a hurricane relief benefit concert, held
in aid of victims of Hurricane Ivan.
More than 400 persons, who were in attendance, made donations at the three-hour long event staged at the Kendall Community Church of God in Florida.
The concert was the brainchild of Director of Jamaica Folk Revue, Norma Darby
and Director of the choir of the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida, Hyacinth
Penso.
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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