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UPDATE ON JAMAICA - AFTER HURRICANE IVAN - October 4, 2004

COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES GENEROSITY TO JAMAICAN HURRICANE VICTIMS

UPDATE ON JAMAICA - AFTER HURRICANE IVAN - October 4, 2004

General:
According to the Jamaica Gleaner (Sept 30/04), preliminary estimates of damage to agriculture, roads and low to middle income houses has surpassed J$13billion (almost $300million Canadian). Residents in poorer communities suffered from extensive flooding, power outages and some wind damage to homes. In the rural areas, road access was restricted and isolated many communities. While water has officially been restored to most of the City of Kingston and area, residents are still required to boil their water before use. In some communities, like S-Corner, water is being trucked into the community. More isolated communities in the rural areas still do not have water access. Most schools and businesses are back to normal hours, with some restrictions based on structural damage (eg. leaky roofs - Jamaica is still experiencing frequent rains) and water and electricity shortages. The National Training Institute, HEART, has begun a special training programme for its students to participate in the reconstruction efforts, together with international assistance. A range of international and Jamaican non-government organizations in Jamaica are providing emergency assistance: for example, OXFAM; CARE; Pan-American Health Organization; Jamaican Salvation Army; Jamaican Red Cross; Jamaican Fishermen's Cooperative Union. These organizations are working with the Jamaican office of CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). Other international organizations such as UNICEF and World Vision, as well as country-specific initiatives are also providing assistance to Jamaica. Canada's Response:
$2million for economic reconstruction and agricultural recovery; 10 tonnes of relief supplies sent through Cdn Red Cross; $125,000 provided to Jamaican Red Cross, Salvation Army & Fishermen's Co-op (as above). Jamaican Self-Help's Response:
Over $20,000 has been raised so far as a result of the urgent appeal from JSH. The funds raised will be used in a number of communities & organizations, including St. Peter Claver Primary School & S-Corner Clinic & Community Development (Bennet Lands, Kingston); St. Margaret's Human Resource Centre (Cockburn Gardens, Kingston); St. Anne's Community Centre of Concern (Hannah Town, Kingston); St. Pius X Training Centre & Dupont Primary School (Olympic Gardens, Kingston); Maxfield Park Children's Home (Kingston); Riverton City & Clinic (Kingston); Annotto Bay; St. Mary's Rural Development Project (St. Mary's Parish, north coast of Jamaica).

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COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES GENEROSITY TO JAMAICAN HURRICANE VICTIMS

Exactly two weeks after Jamaican Self-Help sent out an urgent appeal for help, almost $20,000 has been raised so far for Hurricane Relief in Jamaica. Over 70% of these funds have come from residents of the Peterborough area. "While we are not surprised by the generosity, it certainly re-confirms the caring nature of our community, even towards people who live thousands of kilometres from here," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Jamaican Self-Help Executive Director. The appeal was sent out immediately after the hurricane, when Jamaican Self-Help was still unable to contact its Jamaican partners directly. Since that time, JSH has received news both from official sources in Jamaica, as well as from the communities supported by the organization. The effects of Hurricane Ivan were felt across Jamaica. There was widespread flooding resulting in structural damage to housing and destruction of personal property. Roads were significantly impacted with 252 major roads blocked by mud slides and downed power lines. The agricultural sector was hit hard, wiping out banana and coffee plantations and inundating sugar cane farms. The biggest immediate concern across the island was lack of access to clean water. According to a report from the Canadian International Development Agency in Jamaica, after approximately one week, electricity and water were restored to some areas of the island, including parts of the City of Kingston. The Jamaica Public Service estimated that the rest of the island could see their electricity restored by mid-October. Eighty percent of Jamaica's 1,000 water pumping stations were ready for use, though they rely on electricity to function. All the projects closely supported by JSH were affected. For example, the inner-city community of Bennet Lands has suffered from an accumulation of garbage, water inaccessibility and related health concerns. The roof of the clinic supported by JSH was destroyed. In other communities, the roofs of schools and training centres were also damaged and the buildings flooded. People in all six of the communities supported by JSH suffered from similar situations: loss of basic household goods from flooding, damaged housing, lack of water and food. "Jamaicans living in poverty struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. We can just imagine how difficult it is for them, if flood waters have destroyed or washed away mattresses or clothing, or winds have damaged roofs in the middle of the rainy season. Children must have uniforms to attend school, so buying new shoes, uniforms, books and stationary will be an extreme hardship for those families who have so little in the first place," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk. "In Peterborough, we saw how garbage can accumulate after a flood. The health concerns of garbage build-up, particularly in a tropical climate, and with no clean water access, are significant." Funds collected through Jamaican Self Help have been allocated to providing household goods and building supplies, removing garbage, and educating communities on immediate health issues such as boiling water. Donations have also gone towards providing a Breakfast Programme for children without access to adequate food. Farmers in a small community on the north coast will receive help to purchase new seedlings and fertilizer. "On behalf of Jamaican Self-Help, and the people of Jamaica, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their concern and generosity. Every dollar will make a big difference to helping Jamaicans to re-build."

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Situational Analysis - Hurricane Ivan
Curline Beckford
Program Analyst
CIDA Program Support Unit Limited
Jamaica
The eye of Hurricane Ivan did not make land in Jamaica on Friday, September 10, 2004 but it left a trail of devastation in its wake. The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is currently trying to properly assess the extent of the damage and the populace is trying to grapple with the absence of water, electricity and other basic amenities. Extent of Damage

All parishes particularly those on the south coast have been affected by Ivan. Some communities have been isolated; land slippages and mud flows have occurred· Widespread structural damage to housing stock; personal possessions/property destroyed by flood water. Agricultural sector significantly hit; banana and coffee wiped out; sugar cane farms inundated; livestock industry hit hard. Ministry of Agriculture is currently preparing the estimates. Bauxite sector impacted; Port Kaiser severely damaged. Tourism sector relatively intact although Negril , Westmoreland is severely damage Road infrastructure significantly impacted; up to 252 major roads were blocked; approximately 101 now cleared. Highway 2000 Project impacted by soil erosion; work could be set back for a month. Health and education facilities have also been affected. All parishes reported power outages and water lock offs. Telephone service disrupted islandwide. Major water treatment plants have been damaged resulting in loss of water to customers and high levels of turbidity. Electricity and water have been restored to some sections of the island and particularly to the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR). The Jamaica Public Service (JPSCO) could restore electricity to the majority of the island by mid-October. Restoration period for water is uncertain although National Water Commission (NWC) has reported that 80% of its 1,000 water pumping stations are ready for use. Water facilities need electricity to function. Credit card debit card systems hampered by inadequate power. Hundreds of persons still remain in shelters.
A total of 15 persons are confirmed dead and another 33 are missing off the Pedro Cays.

Response by GOJ and Other Agencies

Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) headed by Danville Walker, Director of Elections, established to spearhead/coordinate recovery programs. Damage estimates are being done by the GOJ. International Appeal made by GOJ Supplies have been flown to shelters and cut off communities. Arrangements have been made to truck water to areas affected by loss in supplies. Ground and air rescue missions were carried out by the Fire Department and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). Private Sector bodies have so far pledged J$450 million (US$7.2 million) towards the relief efforts. International assistance from Japan = US$120K; USAID = US$100K; Canada = CDN$550K [donated to International Red Cross for Grenada and Jamaica] plus CDN$175K
A number of other international agencies (UNDP, World Vision) and countries (Mexico, Venezuela) have pledged support for the relief effort.

Needs Assessment
Immediate needs relate to support to the affected population and environmental and public health concerns. As such the main priorities are:

Provision of potable water Vector control Restoration of power supply Feeding of shelter population Re-establishing of Road access
Communications

Costs
No preliminary estimate of the damages caused by Hurricane Ivan has yet been provided by the GOJ. Outlook
Jamaica's social and economic recovery path does not have any scope for natural and external shocks; however, these are the biggest risks to achieving its short, medium and long term objectives for social and economic growth. Most of the macro-economic indicators for the first quarter of fiscal year 2004/2005 were positive. Outlook for the second quarter were on track to be equally positive until Hurricane Ivan. Whilst the Ministry of Finance is confident that the indicators will be on track even in the face of Ivan, the social challenges to the country will be tremendous. The passage of Ivan has reemphasized the need for continued investment in the area of sustainable development and environmental education (particularly disaster mitigation). The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) needs to be overhauled and its capacity built to effectively manage and coordinate situations of this nature and magnitude. Ivan has also elucidated Jamaica's need to build capacity in local institutions such as parish councils and parish development committees which will be able to better support the ODPEM in carrying out its mandate.

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PETERBOROUGH AGENCY RESPONDS TO HURRICANE'S DEVASTATING IMPACT

SEPTEMBER 13, 2004

Jamaican Self-Help, a Peterborough-based international development agency, is jumping into action to assist the Jamaican people who have been devastated by Hurricane Ivan this weekend.

Jamaican Self-Help has supported communities in Kingston and on the north coast of the island for almost 25 years. This connection has led to close personal and organizational ties to many people living in the most marginalized circumstances. "We have many friends and colleagues that live and work in the poor communities of Kingston and Annotto Bay. We are very concerned with their welfare, as they will likely have taken the brunt of the destruction" states Marisa Kaczmarczyk, JSH Executive Director. While JSH has not been able to contact their partners in Jamaica because of loss of telephone lines, the organization knows that the devastation can be severe. "The communities we support are not equipped to deal with this type of relentless weather system. Homes are constructed out of zinc (corrugated metal) walls and roofs that can become extremely dangerous if winds blow them through a community. Many poor communities are situated very close to the "gullies" for water run-off and these can easily overflow and wash away buildings in their path. On the north coast, many homes are located in precarious shoreline or hillside locations. We are extremely concerned with the safety of the people in these communities," notes Marisa Kaczmarczyk. After immediate basic needs are addressed, Jamaican Self-Help will be looking to assist communities to rebuild in the long-term. "Jamaican Self-Help has strong connections to Jamaican organizations on the ground and we will work through them to assist the communities in need. The needs will be great, and will not go away any time soon, " said Board member Nancy Chesher, "JSH has had a long history of working with Jamaicans to improve their situations and we intend to continue that support." JSH will activate its many supporters in the Peterborough community and across the country to address this huge need. The organization welcomes financial donations from the community. Donations can be made at the JSH office (129 ½ Hunter Street) between 9 and 3 on weekdays, at the Peterborough Community Credit Union (Brock St) or online through CanadaHelps at www.jshcanada.org.

For more information, please contact Marisa Kaczmarczyk at (705) 743-1671.

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