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BULLETIN #27
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 8, 2004 - Noon
International Community continues to respond to relief efforts
Chief Executive Officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), Danville
Walker, received another contribution to the Hurricane Relief Fund from another
member of the international community.
The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Zhao Zhenyu, made the presentation of US$100,000 or over JA $6 million, on behalf of his country, at the offices of ONR on Oxford Road in Kingston.
China is one of a number of countries, which have responded with aid in cash or kind, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
Ministry declares most schools now opened for classes
The Ministry of Education, Youth & Culture, has reported that most of the
island's schools have been back in operation since October 4, and that it has
been successful in avoiding the relocation of students attending schools that
were severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Ivan
The Sydney Pagan Agricultural High School however, is the only educational institution that has not resumed classes for all students.
The Ministry has also submitted a list of 51 schools considered to be in a critical state, to the Office of National Reconstruction for them to receive of priority assistance.
Meanwhile, over 20 tents and tarpaulins have been distributed to schools severely damaged to house attending the institution students.
The reconstruction efforts have been boosted in some cases with the assistance of communities and Parent Teachers' Associations. This was the case with Dunrobin Primary School, whose roof for the majority of the building was replaced through assistance from the Parent Teachers' Association along with community members.
No timeline for repairs to schools
The Ministry of Education, Youth & Culture has also announced that the timeline
for repairs to schools is largely dependent on the acquisition of funds by the
Ministry through agencies, including the Culture, Health, Arts, Sport and Education
(CHASE) Fund, Jamaica Social Investment Find (JSIF) and the Office of National
Reconstruction (ONR).
Meanwhile, the Ministry has submitted the names list of 35 primary schools, which will complete the list of a total of 100 basic and primary schools to be assisted by JSIF.
As it relates to the teacher training institutions, Bethlehem Teacher's College is operating on a partial basis, hoping to restore normality by next week. The Church Teacher's College is still housing some of its male boarders in the auditorium, and some of the female boarders now have to travel, due to severe damage to the dormitories.
No gastroenteritis epidemic
Health Minister, John Junor has said that assessments done by his Ministry indicated
that there was no gastroenteritis epidemic in the island at this time. He outlined
that contrary to earlier reports issued by the Ministry, there have been no
confirmed deaths resulting from the disease in the post Hurricane Ivan period.
However, the Minister noted there had been an increase in the number of gastroenteritis cases across the island within the last three weeks, and implored that every effort should be made to avoid the occurrence of a crisis.
The Health Ministry has implemented a number of prevention and control measures
to address the problem of food and water-borne diseases. The Health Minister
also stressed that the fight against infections of this nature could not be
left solely to the work of health professionals, but should also be the personal
responsibility of everyone.
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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