By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE United States Government has made a significant contribution of vehicles and technological devices to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM).
In a press release issued by the US Embassy, the Embassy stated that the two Sport Utility Jeeps, 18 Samsung Galaxy tablets, and 195 hand crank radios valued at US $255,000 were donated.
On Tuesday, the donation was presented by US Ambassador Joseph Mondello to Minister of National Security Stuart Young and ODPM Chief Executive Officer Major General (Retired) Rodney Smart at the Emergency Operation Center in Mausica a construction that was supported by the U.S. government in 2016.
Both Mondello and Young acknowledged the critical importance of disaster preparedness and response, especially given the additional challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Mondello pledged continued U.S. support for disaster preparedness and emphasised “the importance of ensuring national level agencies have the equipment and resources to rapidly respond during hurricane and flood season.”
