By Alicia Chamely
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is pledging to assist Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and will be launching a national collection drive to gather relief supplies.
In a press release on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said, “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is mobilising to provide immediate assistance to Jamaica in the aftermath of this disaster. We are prepared to offer manpower, technical resources, emergency supplies, and foodstuffs to aid relief and recovery efforts.”
Persad-Bissessar said she had spoken to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, affirming T&T’s commitment to assisting Jamaica.
She said, “To ensure a coordinated national response, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs will work cohesively to deliver critical support.”
Addressing T&T nationals in Jamaica, she stated, “Our Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs has been in active communication with the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in Jamaica to monitor the situation and provide assistance to our citizens currently in Jamaica.”
Persad-Bissessar called on the public to not only keep the people of Jamaica in their prayers, but to come together to donate essential items as she announced the launch of a national collection drive.
The Prime Minister said, “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with key stakeholders, will launch a national collection drive to gather relief supplies.”
“These supplies will be sent to Jamaica to assist those most in need, particularly in vulnerable communities expected to face the brunt of the hurricane’s impact, “she said.
Appealing to the public Persad-Bissessar said, “Let us come together as one Caribbean family to provide much-needed relief. I encourage citizens, businesses, community groups, and organisations to donate essential items. Collection venues will be shared consequently.”
Persad-Bissessar again reaffirmed T&T’s commitment to helping its Caribbean neighbours in times of crisis, saying, “Together, we will stand with Jamaica and help them rebuild stronger and safer in the days ahead.”
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa was expected to begin impacting Jamaica on Monday night into Tuesday. With wind speeds being described by the National Hurricane Centre as “life threatening” and “catastrophic,” the Jamaican government had ordered mandatory evacuations in low lying, vulnerable areas.
Addressing the country, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, “I take this opportunity to reinforce to residents of low-lying areas, historically flood-prone areas, gully banks, riverbanks, hillsides and other vulnerable areas, take precautions to protect your property where possible, prepare your evacuation plan and comply with the evacuation orders.”
Holness confirmed JMD$ 400 million had been allocated for Hurricane flood mitigation efforts and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the National Works Agency (NWA) were on high alert to ensure a quick response.
