Almost 15,000 Jamaicans in emergency shelters arising from Melissa
Loading article...
Almost 15,000 persons were in shelters across Jamaica on Tuesday evening, as the core of Hurricane Melissa moved away from the island, leaving behind a trail of devastation in several southern parishes.
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, speaking at a Tuesday afternoon news conference, also said no shelters are to be closed unless authorised by himself or the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
He was responding to reports that some school officials were reluctant to allow their institutions to be used as shelters, naming Vere Technical High in Clarendon as one such case.
The minister gave a “commitment” that any school damaged while being used as a shelter will be repaired.
McKenzie also said residents in several communities had also set up makeshift shelters, and authorities were able to deliver supplies to those informal locations.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.