KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica was well prepared for Hurricane Beryl, said Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie.
Speaking at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting at Jamaica House on Wednesday, he said information was readily available and the public was kept up to date.
“The only complaint I have is that there is too much information being given to the public. A lot of Jamaicans have paid attention and have seen the benefits of that information,” he said.
MacKenzie said the government was concerned about the response of residents in areas prone to flooding, such as New Haven and Port Royal, which were subject to evacuations.
“Efforts were made at both the political and local levels to encourage many residents of these communities to leave. With the help of the Red Cross, the National Arena was opened to accommodate residents of Port Royal and Bull Bay communities in the Corporate Area. No one came from Port Royal. The buses left empty,” he said.
He reminded Jamaicans that this is just the beginning, as hurricane season ends on November 30.
“I urge Jamaicans to act responsibly and accept requests to leave certain communities when it becomes necessary, just as they did during the early warnings,” McKenzie appealed.
Meanwhile, 10 evacuation centres remain open, some of which are housing more than 100 people, he said.
“We are not going to close some of the shelters until we have a better idea of what will happen to the people who are currently in them,” the minister said.
McKenzie explained that his ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to carry out a rapid assessment to determine the assistance needed and to provide temporary housing to evacuation centre residents whose homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl.
He added that the government is committed to helping Jamaicans recover as quickly as possible.
“This is not the first and it will not be the last. I am hopeful that there will be no major events over the remainder of the season, but I urge Jamaicans to remain hopeful and continue to have faith in the efforts of their government,” McKenzie said.
-JIS
