Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has described the recently concluded stakeholders meeting in Panama to discuss, among other things, the upcoming Youth Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction in Jamaica as a success.

The Minister headed a local delegation attending the precursory meeting for the seventh Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean from February 3 to 6, during which the Forum was discussed.

The symposium is among the programmed engagements for the Regional Platform, which is slated for July 7 to 10 in Montego Bay, St. James, under the theme ‘Building Resilient Economies in the Americas and the Caribbean’.

The youth forum is set for July 7 at the S Hotel in Montego Bay, and will see local and regional youth discussing several topics, including education, economic growth, and climate action.

The topics were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A statement from the youth will be submitted for inclusion in the Declaration to come out of the Regional Platform.

Jamaica’s delegation along with a team from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, met with representatives from several partner entities.

These included the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction (GNDR), and Plan International (for the Americas).

Representatives of the entities, which have a vested interest in Jamaica’s engagement, suggested the formation of a steering committee of all parties to expedite the organisation of a successful Youth Forum.

“I think that it (meeting) was a positive outcome. A lot more came out in the discussions than I had anticipated and I can see the willingness and commitment on their part to engage us in this new dispensation as it relates to the Youth Forum,” the Minister told JIS News.

He said based on the stakeholder interactions and proposals arising, including the committee’s establishment, “we are now seeking to find, as quickly as possible, someone who is going to be our eyes and our ears in relation to [that] committee”.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders lauded the Government of Jamaica for their decision to incorporate a youth forum in the Regional Platform, noting that this could set a precedent for other similar forums, while committing their support for this undertaking.

According to UNICEF’s regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Bernt Aasen, “one of the added value that we can bring is that we have the country offices that could also follow-up on the invitations”.

“I will certainly be happy to instruct the representatives we have in the countries to keep an eye on this, so we get the right people in the delegations and also some young people as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, IFRC Deputy Regional Director, Steve McAndrew, thanked the team from Jamaica for a “well-thought-out plan”.

“We from the Red Cross think this is a great idea, as we put a lot of work into developing our youth networks. I think it is an excellent idea and I know we are interested in supporting however we can and in participating. It is part of our responsibility to make sure that the youth are included and that their voices are heard,” he added.

Echoing his sentiment was Coordinator at the Red Cross Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre, Reynette Royer, who was elated about the youth forum.

“There are a lot of good youth champions, of course, in Jamaica, but also throughout the Americas, whom we could tap into to see how they could be on some of the panels and to support and inject creativity into some of the sessions. So you can count on us for that,” she said.

Registration has commenced for the seventh Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean.

The event is slated for July 7 to 10 in Montego Bay, St. James, under the theme ‘Building Resilient Economies in the Americas and the Caribbean’.

Registration is scheduled to close a month ahead of the meeting, and interested parties are encouraged to do so early at www.eird.org/americas/pr2020/.

The Platform, one of several facilitated globally, represents a core multi-stakeholder mechanism to assess the progress, identify gaps and monitor implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, at the regional level.

The Framework, which is the first major agreement of the United Nations (UN) post-2015 development agenda, details seven targets and four priorities for action.

Since registration commenced in late January, applications have been received from interests in Latin and Central America, and the Caribbean

Chief for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, Raul Salazar, told JIS News that there has been steady interest from a number of persons and organisations.

Noting that regional platforms usually cater for approximately 1,000 attendees, Mr. Salazar said if this number is reached early, “then we will need to close the registration process earlier”.

“So we would like to invite people who are interested and engaged in the process, to register [early] so that they can secure their places,” he added.

Mr. Salazar indicated that once registration closes, it will only be reopened on a case-by-case basis, while pointing out that the registrants are expected to be drawn from a wide cross section of stakeholder groups.

“What we are expecting is what the Sendai Framework is asking for, which is a diverse group of representatives from governments and stakeholder sectors,” he further pointed out.

Mr. Salazar noted that there are various groups that have been pivotal in disaster risk reduction over the last 50 years.

These, he added, are groups that have been very active in their communities in either advocating for disaster risk reduction or providing training and knowledge.

Among them are community-based organisations, science and technology groups, the private sector, people living with disabilities, and women groups.

A significant number of young people are also expected to attend the four-day meeting, which will feature, for the first time, a Youth Forum, the outcome of which will be included in the Ministerial Meeting of the Platform.

“The regional forum of youth is expected to bring young and dynamic representatives to carry on the flag for disaster risk reduction expectations or dreams that we have for the region,” Mr. Salazar indicated.

He noted that the region is affected by various fallouts, particularly economic losses resulting from disasters.

“Consequently, we need to address these from the point of view of the youth and consider what are they going to do and what they want to do,” Mr. Salazar added.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says that 35 houses will be delivered to indigent persons by the end of the financial year on March 31.

“We are making a difference; we will continue to improve the infrastructure for those who are in need,” the Minister said, adding that the Poor Relief Department is being strengthened to improve service delivery.

He was speaking at the ceremony to break ground for the construction of a house for a needy family in Anchovy, Portland, on Tuesday (January 7).

The dwelling is among two to be built in the parish over the next two months at a total cost of $4.6 million. The other unit, to be constructed at Long Road, will bring the number of houses delivered to beneficiaries across the island to date to 29.

Construction of the other six will commence soon.

The Minister, who travelled to Long Road for the ground breaking, said that the indigent housing project is one way in which the country is showing appreciation to persons who have made significant contribution to the society and have fallen on hard times.

“I am encouraging the community to support them and to work with them and ensure that these houses that we are putting up, they will enjoy it to the maximum,” he said.

Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson, said the houses will provide relief to the two families, while Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Ann-Marie Vaz, said she was delighted that the beneficiaries will now have a place to call home.

The units will be fully furnished and fitted with 1,000-gallon water storage tanks.

In keeping with the Cabinet’s decision for step-up activities to curtail the current dengue outbreak, Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton will unveil plans on Wednesday, (January 15) for a National Dengue Clean Up later this month.

Dr. Tufton earlier said that “given the intensity of this dengue outbreak, I have sought and received Cabinet’s approval to enhance our intervention. This intervention will see One Billion Dollar enhanced intervention, which includes the establishment of a National Dengue Coordination Committee, as we seek to include a multi-sectoral/agency response with key Ministries, Agencies and Departments called into action.”

The detailed plan for the clean-up will be announced at the Post Cabinet Press Briefing on at Jamaica House.

The activities surrounding the National Dengue Clean Up are being led in conjunction with the National Labour Day Secretariat in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, chaired by the Hon. Olivia Grange. “The National Committee has had several meeting and our plans are far advance for the clean-up activity. We are making final plans and activation to ensure that all Jamaicans are called into action to participate, whether they are in school, at work home or in the community. We look forward to a successful clean up activity,” Minister Grange noted.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and its agencies are fully committed to working with the Health & Wellness Ministry and other state entities, to ensure a successful clean up. We are already laying the foundation for this, through the National Solid Waste Management Authority, which has begun community interventions, added Minister of Local Government & Community Development, the Hon. Desmond McKenzie.   

The Minister of Local Government and Community Development has announced the Government’s plans to focus on earthquake awareness and preparedness all year round to ensure the country is in a state of readiness.

“With the frequency of earthquakes in the region and the proximity of the most recently recorded quakes to the island, this administration acknowledges that the ever present threat of earthquakes needs to be tackled with a similar ever present state of awareness. While we have traditionally focused on earthquake awareness at the beginning of the year in January, the conversation needs to be year-round,” portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, told JIS News.

The Minister stated that the Government will focus on the state of readiness of major players for any eventualities in particular, earthquakes. Among these are the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Jamaica Defence Force, Ministry of Health and Wellness and the country’s disaster management agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

The Minister said there will be a public awareness campaign with a series of symposiums, public engagement and high-level conversations to keep the matter in the forefront of the minds of the people.

Citizens are being encouraged to remain in a constant state of readiness by practicing emergency drills, learning the ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’ earthquake response and having emergency kits and plans in place for businesses and places of residence.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Residents of Ginger House and Cornwall Barracks in East Portland now have easier access to their homes following the construction of a new $7.1 million swing bridge.

The bridge, which was officially opened by the Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, will serve some 1500 residents in and around the environs of the Rio Grande Valley.

“Don’t swing on it. It is for the purpose of walking, not swinging. It is your investment,” said Minister McKenzie at the hand-over on November 6.

“The actual work of the construction started in 2018. Not only was the construction of the bridge completed on time and within budget, but the work also provided opportunities for many people in the community who gained employment during the period of construction.”

The Minister also thanked the residents for their patience in awaiting the construction of the new connection, and stated that he was relieved that they would no longer use unconventional methods – including wading through the river – to get home.

The original bridge was reportedly washed away during heavy rains in 2014.

Councillor Irvin Brown, whose has responsibility for the Fellowship Division, described the handing over as a “proud day” for the community. He also shared that economic activities, especially for the farmers, would return.

Funding for the new bridge was made available by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

“The bridge falls under the direct control of the Portland Municipal Corporation. It is a part of the government’s thrust to use local government to improve lives in the various communities across the country,” Minister McKenzie added.

He also spoke to the poor condition of the main thoroughfare leading in to the community of Ginger House.

“I am giving the assurance to the community that we will endeavor to at least make driving a little bit easier than it presently is on the road. Through the Ministry of Local Government, we will do everything that is humanly possible to ensure that you are able to access your living conditions in an easy way.”

JIS NEWS, Montego Bay: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says that municipal corporations will be equipped with new water trucks during financial year 2020/2021.

“We are going to be providing right across the country, in the new financial year coming, at least one water truck for every municipal corporation in Jamaica to assist in the distribution of water to the people who desperately need water,” he said, while addressing the recent opening of a water shop in Top Hill, St. Elizabeth.

Mr. McKenzie said that the trucks will help alleviate water shortages across the island, particularly in parishes such as St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and Portland.

He said that the Ministry will also provide minor water systems to communities where such shortages exist.

In the meantime, Minister McKenzie maintained that privately owned water trucks must be sterilised and certified in order to deliver water.

He noted that the Government has to take the health of citizens into consideration, “because you don’t want a truck that is pulling sewage or chemicals to be delivering water for you to drink and to cook with”.

“Private trucks, under the public health law, must meet the requirements. They must be sterilised [and] certified before they can deliver the water. I want to make it clear that no municipal corporation should use any trucks that refuse to get the proper certification to distribute water,” Mr. McKenzie said.

“It is part of the requirement; the law calls for it and we are maintaining that stand,” he added.

JIS NEWS, Montego Bay: Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says he will convene a meeting with the National Disaster Committee on Monday (September 16), to discuss Jamaica’s state of readiness in the event of a disaster.

Mr. McKenzie, who spoke at the monthly meeting of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, in Falmouth, on Thursday (September 12), said the Government is not prepared to adopt a “wait and see” attitude, and will be proactive in its approach.

“As the local authority with responsibility for preparedness, we must be proactive in what we are doing. Assessments need to be done now as to where we are in terms of our shelters [as well as] the critical areas of the parish that would need attention,” the Minister emphasised.

He said all municipal corporations will be put on notice to activate their respective disaster response mechanisms to ensure that the necessary resources, such as provisions, equipment, volunteers and more, are in place and are ready to be deployed in case of any emergency.

The Minister said the Government is treating this as a vital matter, because more than 98 per cent of the country’s capital towns are near the coast.

“We have to, as a country, start to examine how we treat disasters, and I am saying this today, that we are prepared now to invoke the provisions under the Disaster Risk Management Law that speaks to compulsory evacuation of communities across the country,” Mr. McKenzie said.

“For too long we see where communities that are prone to flooding refuse to heed the call. This Government is not going to put itself in any position because a few refuse to heed the warning. We are prepared to throw the books at those persons who will not accede to the request to relocate if the need arises,” he added.

The Minister also indicated that special attention must be given to the vulnerable and physically challenged. He said they must be put “on a list of priorities, so that we can identify them if the time comes for them to be relocated”.

In response to the hurricane-ravaged neighbouring islands of The Bahamas, the Minister announced that the 14 municipalities across the country have agreed to make donations of US$5,000 to the relief assistance.

He said the money will be lodged to an account that was set up by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

“ I would urge all of you who can make that contribution to help the plight of the people in The Bahamas to do so. We could be in their position. So, while we are in a much better space today, I am asking that we give to the efforts of the people in The Bahamas,” Mr. McKenzie said.

The donation account is at the National Commercial Bank, Oxford Road Branch, with the account number: 212387304. The name of the account is ‘ODPEM Donation Account’.