WESTERN BUREAU:
THE ASSISTANCE of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is being sought to airlift food supplies to three St. Elizabeth communities, which were left marooned following the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
"I am waiting for the Councillors to indicate the specific drop-off points so I will be able to inform the JDF airwing. I should be in a position to get the full report by Monday," said Senator Kern Spencer, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security.
According to Yvonne Morrison, disaster coordinator for the parish, Quickstep, Aberdeen and Thornton are still inaccessible as a result of impassable roadways. Residents have made urgent appeal for food supplies. She also noted that water levels were rising in the districts of New River and New Holland.
TRUCK LOAD OF FOOD EN ROUTE
She was subsequently informed by Senator Spencer that a truck load of food items from Food for the Poor was en route to St. Elizabeth for distribution. This was to be done through non-governmental organisations and churches across the parish, with shelters getting priority allocation.
Mr. Spencer and Ms. Morrison were panellists at The Gleaner Editors' Forum in St. Elizabeth on Friday. The township suffered severe damage especially to its physical infrastructure and agricultural sector in the onslaught of the recent hurricane.
