Jamaica is beginning the task of cleaning up on Wednesday after the category 5 hurricane Melissa left several paths of damage in its wake after slowing moving through the Caribbean island with winds in excess of 180 miles per hour (MPH) on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the island a ‘disaster area’ warning of ‘devastating impacts’ and ‘significant damage’ to hospitals, homes and businesses.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) said it has created logistical cells to harness agencies, including customs, Airport Authority and the Jamaica Defence Force, to ensure smooth operations for the clearance and distribution of relief supplies.
‘[This is] to ensure that whenever we are getting in supplies coming into the country , and we know that we will have a lot of commitments coming in from overseas, we will have enough hands on board and a very well put together plan to ensure that when supplies are in country they are not backing up at the ports,’ said acting OPEM Director General, Richard Thompson.
He told a news conference that the main airports and seaports are to be monitored to ensure relief is quick to reach the vulnerable.