WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Brenda LaGrange Johnson contacted both Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and the Leader of the Opposition Bruce Golding concerning Jamaica’s national response to Hurricane Dean.
Ambassador Johnson commended both leaders for their spirit of unity and collaboration and she has offered her full support as Jamaica prepares for the storm’s arrival.
In anticipation of a possible response, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pre-positioned assessment teams in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean islands that could be affected by the hurricane.
In addition, USAID has $2,000,000 in commodities warehoused in Miami ready for distribution in the aftermath of Dean.
“In Jamaica, the USAID has already released funds to USAID/Jamaica for the Jamaican Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to procure emergency preparedness supplies. In addition, USAID has positioned a five-person team of disaster response specialists in Jamaica who will work closely with ODPEM to provide emergency assistance to save lives, assess damage, and coordinate required assistance to the people of Jamaica,” said Ambassador Johnson.
Relief supplies, including water containers, medicine, plastic sheeting, generators, and disaster hygiene kits, for an estimated 32,000 people are being prepared to be airlifted to affected areas. USAID anticipates the provision of an additional $50,000 in expedited funding that will be used to assist vulnerable and affected populations. USAID will consider additional support as determined by the assessment team, relief agency assessments, and Government of Jamaica disaster authorities.
