Jamaica Gleaner

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BULLETIN #34
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 14, 2004 - 5:00 p.m.

NAACP to meet with ONR
Top officials from United States advocacy group, National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), will meet with Chief Executive Officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), Danville Walker, on October 19, as the group seeks to make its contribution to the current reconstruction efforts underway.

In addition, Head of the NAACP Washington Bureau, Hilary Shelton, and Head of the Women in NAACP, Dr. Thelma Daley will be meeting with a number of organizations. These include the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The NAACP contingent will also be touring Portland Cottage with Mr. Walker on October 19, to witness first hand the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ivan.

Churches to receive relief assistance
Churches that have suffered damage due to Hurricane Ivan, especially those that are designated Heritage Sites will be given relief assistance from the Government. Prime Minister P.J Patterson made the announcement yesterday at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to hand over hurricane relief assistance to NIS pensioners and PATH beneficiaries.

According to Prime Minister Patterson, churches have played a pivotal role in the development of Jamaica and the educational advancement of its people. As such, the Government thought it fitting to assist churches to repair the damage suffered as a result of the passage of the recent hurricane.

Health Ministry urges public to treat water for drinking and preparing food
The Ministry of Health is urging members of the public to continue treating water for drinking, making ice and preparing baby cereal.

Ministry officials have stated that the post- Hurricane Ivan intermittent water supply was aggravating the present gastroenteritis situation, as persons were still not treating water before use.

Surveillance reports indicate an increase of over 50 per cent in the number of gastroenteritis cases in children under 5 years when compared to the same period last year. This rate of increase is uncommon, and highly reflective of people's failure to adhere to water safety precautions issued by the Ministry of Health.

Parents are warned that children under 12 years must not be given anti-diarrhoeal medication. Diarrhoea must be allowed to run its course, and dehydration prevented by replacing the fluid lost with coconut water, cooled boiled water or oral re-hydration fluids. Mothers who are breastfeeding are encouraged to continue doing so.

Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919