August 28, 2007

Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Dean, a powerful category-4 storm. Jamaica's Office for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reports the hurricane destroyed houses and livelihoods in the eastern and southern parishes of the country. Electricity and water supply across the entire island has been affected and the country is currently under a public state of emergency for the next 30 days.

The most severely affected parishes are St. Thomas, Portland, St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and the inner city of Kingston. Agriculture production has also been severely affected, which is the main source of livelihood for many villagers. The availability of food crops like bananas, cassava, corns and vegetables will be affected in the months ahead.

CWS Response

Church World Service will work with international response partner Action by Churches Together (ACT) to monitor the situation and explore the best routes to provide relief and recovery assistance. ACT member Christian Aid is on the ground in Jamaica, assessing damage and identifying needs.

Christian Aid's assessment indicates immediate needs are: food and baby food as well as non-food items including tarpaulins, bedding, essential household items, roofing and building materials, water and water purifiers, books and learning materials for children. There is also a need to support the communities with short-term livelihood measures through a cash-for-work program to clear the debris and fallen trees.

In the long-term, there is a need to support the most vulnerable sections with sustainable livelihood and shelter program. At present, priority will be given to St. Thomas, St. Catherine and the inner city of Kingston. Christian Aid, along with Jamaican national partners will be implementing the humanitarian program to address the needs of the most vulnerable sections in the society, which were affected by Hurricane Dean.

Christian Aid is planning to support 1,000-5,000 families with immediate relief, livelihood assistance and rehabilitation support and is coordinating with government agencies, NGOs and local churches that are working in the area. An ACT appeal for Jamaica will be launched soon.

Media Contact: Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org