The Cayman Islands Government has pledged US$1.2 million in essential supplies to assist Jamaica’s recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
Cayman’s Premier André Ebanks made the announcement during a media briefing on Thursday morning noting that when the Cayman Islands suffered from devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, Jamaica was quick to offer support.
He said the donation would include critical relief items to be shipped directly to Jamaica.
Accompanied by a team of ministers, Ebanks said he had also travelled with US$200,000 worth of supplies that were ready to be handed over immediately.
‘On behalf of myself, the Government, and the ministers who are here, including Minister Nick DaCosta and the leader of the Opposition, Cayman stands with Jamaica,’ Ebanks said.
The pledged assistance will support national recovery efforts currently underway, as Jamaica continues to grapple with widespread power outages, infrastructure damage and displacement across several parishes.
Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon expressed gratitude on behalf of the Jamaican Government, noting that the donation came as a surprise.
Meanwhile, The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has announced the mobilisation of all members of the first class of the Jamaica National Reserve (JNR), who are being directed to report to their respective duty stations effective Thursday.
According to the JDF, the deployment forms part of its nationwide response and recovery operations following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Reserve personnel will assist with relief distribution, search and rescue missions, logistics coordination, and the protection of high-risk areas, working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other government agencies.
The activation of the reserve is being carried out under directives from Governor General Sir Patrick Allem as part of Jamaica’s national emergency management framework aimed at safeguarding lives and property and restoring normalcy to communities impacted by the storm.