Public Service Announcement from ODPEM
Category: News
STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PREPARATION FOR AND RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW
By the Hon. Desmond McKenzie MP
Minister of Local Government and Community Development
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Mr. Speaker…
Last week, the people of Jamaica faced the greatest natural threat to their lives and livelihood for many years, in the form of Hurricane Matthew.
It is with the deepest sense of relief and gratitude that I say personally, and on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, we are thankful that this Hurricane veered away from its projected path, away from our island home.
The Government took all necessary measures to prepare the country for what was expected to be the onslaught of Matthew as it moved in a north-easterly direction past Jamaica.
The closest distance between Matthew and Jamaica was just 215 kilometres (134 miles) east of Morant Point, as it moved past the island as a powerful Category 4 Hurricane. Let me put that in context Mr. Speaker. The driving distance between Somerset Village at Negril Point in the west, and Morant point in the east, is 307 kilometres or 191 miles. The flying distance between the points is even closer: 232 kilometres or just 144 miles. It is difficult to imagine a closer brush with disaster, or such a dramatic escape from it.
I am certain Mr. Speaker that the Government and people of Haiti, are wishing they had had a similar escape. Infrastructure has been devastated. The death toll in the country is currently estimated at 900, and now, the citizens are having to contend with an outbreak of Cholera in the wake of the Hurricane.
The Government of Jamaica stands in practical solidarity with the Haitian people Mr. Speaker. Accordingly, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is spearheading Jamaica’s effort to assist our brothers and sisters there. ODPEM is now represented in Haiti, as the damage assessment process continues.
I have seen Mr. Speaker, expressions of dismay and disappointment from some of our citizens that the Government had elevated the Hurricane threat in the public mind, only for mainly rains to occur. To them I say: count your blessings, count them one by one.
However, there is another saying that applies to our recent experience Mr. Speaker: “Take sleep mark death.” This weather system has provided an opportunity for us to put the disaster preparedness and response mechanism to work, and to evaluate its effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement.
PREPAREDNESS FOR THE HURRICANE
Even before Jamaica was placed on Hurricane Watch on October 1, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) had started the process of preparing the country.
- The Agency activated the National Disaster Action Plan – Hurricane Standing Orders on September 26, which guided the actions of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and Agencies involved in the response.
- A meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Council was held by the Most Honourable Prime Minister on September 30, and all Agencies Ministries and Departments were placed on Alert.
- ODPEM continued to monitor the weather system and Parish Disaster Committees and Agencies were placed on standby. ODPEM issued news releases and hosted news conferences, as did the Office of the Prime Minister, about all matters concerning the progress of the Hurricane and the integrated national response.
- At the policy level, the NEOC was activated at level 2 on October 1.
- At the operational level, The NEOC commenced on September 30 at Level 1 activation, Level 2 activation on October 1 and Level 3 – the highest stage of activation – on October 2.
- A total of 16 Emergency Operations Centres were activated island-wide.
- 193 shelters were opened, and provided accommodation for 3,501 people. The highest numbers of people seeking the Shelters came from St. Thomas (1,067), Kingston and St. Andrew (578), Portland (677) and St. Mary (403).
- ODPEM ensured the distribution of important items to the Shelters including tarpaulins, raincoats, lanterns, blankets and mattresses, toilet paper and water. The Administration also took the critical decision to provision the Shelters with food, to nourish people from the first day of entry.
- Arrangements were made for homeless persons to be accommodated through the Local Authorities and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Salvation Army.
- The Local Authorities are a critical part of the disaster management system, and I wish to commend them, and some of the Mayors who provided exceptional leadership when it was needed most.
EVACUATION
Mr. Speaker, I must express thanks to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for the critical transport support provided for the evacuation effort.
It is publicly known that transportation was offered to people in vulnerable communities, and 104 people took advantage of the offer.
100 displaced people were taken from Old Harbour Bay Police Station to the Old Harbour High School for shelter, and 4 residents were evacuated from Port Royal. Two buses were stationed in the community to support the exercise.
Mr. Speaker, I am compelled to emphasize yet again, the critical importance of obeying the instructions of disaster officials to evacuate vulnerable areas.
No level of instinct, or hope, or stubborn determination to ride out the storm can replace the reality that when severe flooding or wind is imminent, people in disaster-prone areas are likely to suffer loss of property, loss of life or both.
We have intensified the national conversation about evacuation Mr. Speaker, and this will have to continue.
ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL LOSSES
One of the important concerns of the Government, was that public infrastructure would be extensively damaged by Matthew.
I am heartened to report Mr. Speaker that this is not the case. While the Local Authorities are concluding their investigations in relation to Parochial infrastructure, I have been formally advised that there is no severe damage. The National Works Agency has given similar advice in relation to the wider road network.
As far as total loss to the economy is concerned Mr. Speaker, we await the calculation of lost production hours among other factors by the Planning Institute of Jamaica, as part of the national assessment exercise.
Mr. Speaker, the process of evaluating this experience has already begun. ODPEM has commenced its review exercise, and this will also involve the Social Development Commission (SDC). We will be reviewing among other things in the short term, the Shelter Management Programme. Additionally, there will be:
- A systems and procedures review of Internal and External Agencies.
- An update of the Standard Operating Procedures of the NEOC, after careful evaluation.
- The development of Mutual Aid Agreements and Contract Agreements with private sector partners, to ensure swift response.
- In the longer term, the National Response Coordination Plan will be updated.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank all our partner Ministries and Agencies in the National Emergency Operations Centre for their hard and consistent work.
I want to thank our private sector partners for their dedication to service.
I also wish to specially commend the men and women of ODPEM, who worked day and night to prepare Jamaica for Matthew, from beginning to end.
While we hope that there will be no further brushes with weather systems for the rest of the Hurricane Season, the country can be assured that the Government will be ready to lead Jamaica through the storm.
Thank You Mr. Speaker.
Jamaica Fire Brigade to Get Two New Trucks
The Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, has signed a US$987,822 contract with Rosenbauer International for the acquisition of two new trucks for the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
The units, which are slated to be in the island by next year, will be built in Minneapolis, United States, at the facilities of Rosenbauer America.
These trucks, which are known as “pumpers” are specifically designed for Jamaican conditions and the operations of the Jamaican Fire Brigade.
In his remarks, Portfolio Minister Hon. Desmond McKenzie said the trucks will boost the Fire Brigade’s existing fleet.
“The trucks will be pre-ordered, and they do take some time to get here (but) because of the relationship that exists between the local company and the foreign company, we are hoping that we will get them a little bit ahead of schedule,” he said.
Mr. McKenzie noted that the Ministry is committed to the capacity expansion of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the acquisition of fire trucks is critical to the honouring of that promise. The Minister added that other improvements will include the commencement of work on one of the three new fire stations that will be constructed in St. James, St. Thomas and St. Mary in this financial year, and the procurement of safety and security gear.
Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Errol Mowatt, stated that the trucks will be deployed based on the needs of each division, when they arrive in the island, and noted that the units will improve the capability of the Jamaica Fire Brigade to better respond to the needs of the citizenry.
Commissioner Mowatt also disclosed that very shortly, a similar contract will be signed for two additional trucks.
Rosenbauer Minnesota, LLC, one of Rosenbauer America’s four production centres, is located in Wyoming. The produces custom, technically demanding fire service trucks.
Local Government Minister Commends Integrated National Effort Against Hurricane Matthew, Expresses Concern For Haiti
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, has commended all the partner Ministries, Agencies and volunteer organizations that worked tirelessly to ensure Jamaica’s preparedness for Hurricane Matthew.
At a news conference today, the Minister noted that great sacrifices have been made to prepare the country for the weather system, and that the levels of information-sharing and general preparedness were appropriate to the threat that Hurricane Matthew presented to the country.
“As a Government, we are very grateful that Matthew shifted from us and did not hit the country as projected. The Growth Agenda is crucial to this Administration’s plans to improve the lives of Jamaicans, and that was placed in great danger by the threat of the Hurricane. Let me also say that it is never possible to over-prepare for a weather system of this kind.”
The Minister also indicated that the normal processes of damage assessment and related reviews will be done as quickly as possible.
In response to concerns that had been raised about the manner in which allocations had been made for drain cleaning, the Minister made it clear that advances had been made from the Parochial Revenue Fund to Members of Parliament to facilitate this activity, an announcement he had made last Friday, after the initial meetings of the National Emergency Operations Centre.
Minister McKenzie also expressed great concern for the people of Haiti, who have been exposed to the fury of Hurricane Matthew. “We have been spared and we are thankful, but we all know that our brothers and sisters in Haiti can’t take much more in the way of battering from the elements. I am urging everyone who can, to make contributions to assist in the relief effort for Haiti, and I know the Government will also look into this matter.”
Tropical Storm Warning Discontinued For Jamaica
The Meteorological Service has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for Jamaica.
The island is no longer at threat of tropical storm-force winds as Hurricane Matthew continues to move away and weather conditions improve.
The MET Office says at 10 a.m. the centre of Hurricane Matthew was located near Latitude 18.9 degrees North, Longitude 74.3 degrees West.
This is about 230 kilometres (140 miles) east of Morant Point, Jamaica or 60 kilometres (35 miles) east of Tiburon, Haiti.
Matthew is moving toward the north near 17 km/h (10 mph). On this track, the eye of Matthew will move over the Windward Passage and eastern Cuba today.
A turn toward the north-northwest is expected by Wednesday, followed by a northwest turn Wednesday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts, making Matthew a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through at least Wednesday night.
The MET Office says although Matthew is no longer considered a threat to Jamaica, the island could continue to experience isolated showers and thunderstorms, especially over eastern parishes. Residents are, therefore, advised to remain on the alert should periodic outbreaks of showers cause localised flooding.
Small craft operators should also continue to exercise caution until wind and sea conditions have returned to safe levels.
Local Government Minister Urges Continued National Vigilance As Hurricane Warning Is Downgraded
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, is warning that Jamaicans must still ensure that every precaution is taken, even the national alert for Hurricane Matthew has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning.
This warning reflects the weather system’s projected path and distance from Jamaica, and not the status of the weather system. Matthew is still a powerful Category Four Hurricane, and at its average speed of 6 miles per hour, it is still projected to deposit heavy rains in Jamaica, a point emphasized by Minister McKenzie.
“We are calling on every citizen to continue to take precautions. To those who have not done so, we are calling on them to start now, to ensure their safety and well-being. We are still very concerned about flooding, and the Agencies of the State are continuing to take all necessary measures to prevent and respond to it. However, it cannot be said too often…please take precautions.”
He gave the assurance that Shelters remain open, that people in need of them will be accommodated, and that partner Ministries and Agencies continue to work to ensure maximum safety and security.
Local Government Minister Warns That Time Is Running Out For People In Vulnerable Areas To Be Evacuated
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, has again urged that people in vulnerable areas who have insisted on remaining in them, leave immediately.
At the latest news briefing on developments regarding Hurricane Matthew today, Minister McKenzie, who is also Deputy Chairman of the National Disaster Council, warned that the last chance for such persons to leave vulnerable areas is now at hand.
“I have said it before and I will say it again…the Government is not prepared to put the lives of our first responders to disasters at risk, because people are being stubborn, and defying the orders to evacuate. If there are people now saying they are ready to leave, that is a conversation that would have to be had with our responders, including the Jamaica Defence Force. We are prepared to consider the matter one more time, and then it is final.”
Residents of Port Royal are among those in vulnerable areas who have largely refused to leave the town, despite appeals from their Member of Parliament, and the provision of buses by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, to take them to the National Arena. There are also people on the Pedro Cays who have also defied orders to evacuate.
With regard to shelters, the Minister advised that they are all open. He also stated that the Cabinet has directed that food is to be provided at the shelters from the outset. Traditionally, people who seek access to shelters are advised to take food, personal care products and other sundries to the shelters.
On the subject of drain and gully cleaning in preparation for the Hurricane, the Minister made it clear that while the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the National Works Agency are working assiduously, the practices of many people are undermining their best efforts. “Let me be plain. Even if a billion dollars a day was spent cleaning drains and gullies, it would be a pointless exercise because people keep throwing garbage and solid waste into the gullies. And it is not only people downtown who are guilty of these things. People from all sections of the society are doing them. We need to have a conversation about the civic pride that that has been lost in the country, and how we can get it to return. What I am prepared to say however, is that by next week, I will be going to Cabinet with proposals for the increases in fines for littering.”
National Cleanup Campaign postponed due to threat of Tropical Storm Matthew
The next phase of the National Cleanup Campaign has been postponed until further notice, in view of the potential threat of Tropical Storm Matthew to Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, whose Ministry is spearheading the Campaign, noted that all partners in the Campaign have been advised of the latest developments.
“We recently completed a successful exercise in Hanover, and people have responded positively to the sensitization meetings, and also to the call to bring out their bulky waste for collection. The next phase is to be implemented in Trelawny, and our preparations are well advanced, so I am satisfied that our momentum should not be unduly dented by the potential threat of this Tropical Storm.”
In noting that the Government has activated all emergency mechanisms in the event of the weather system coming to Jamaica, Minister McKenzie also urged communities across the country to take preventive measures.
“We have appealed for a greater effort at cleanliness in private and public spaces, to fight against the Zika virus among other things. However, keeping spaces, including all our gullies and other waterways free from garbage and solid waste, is also an effective defensive mechanism against the higher levels of storm water that normally accompany any weather system of this nature.”
The Local Government Minister also gave the assurance that the Ministry, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Local Authorities are continuing to make appropriate arrangements for the possibility of the storm reaching Jamaica.
MAJOR GOVERNANCE CHANGES COMING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has given the assurance that Local Authorities will be strengthened, and not shut down, as has been suggested by some public commentators recently. In contributing to the Sectoral Debate 2016/2017, the Minister said while this is the case, the Ministry will be taking strong measures to restore discipline to the administration of affairs by the Local Authorities, following the revelations in the Special Reports of the Contractor-General, which were tabled in Parliament. “The public is aware of the actions I have taken in relation to the Hanover Parish Council. They are a clear signal…that this Administration, and this Minister, will not stand aside and allow breaches of the public trust to occur, under the banner of “autonomy”. The Local Authorities are accountable to the Minister under law, and I intend to lift the standard of accountability and of service that they are to provide.” The Minister announced that all Local Authorities will be audited, to ensure that appropriate systems are implemented to make them significantly more efficient and accountable. He also stated that a number of mechanisms will be introduced to ensure and preserve better management at the local level. “We have established a Land Divestment Committee, which is responsible for ensuring that the sale or leasing of lands held by the Local Authorities, is conducted in full compliance with existing policies, laws and regulations. We will in short order, be establishing Audit Committees in the Local Authorities, and we will also begin the process of developing Standard Operating Procedures to ensure seamlessness and accountability in the management of their public responsibilities. At the same time, we will be improving institutional capacity in the Local Authorities, by introducing training in Risk-based Auditing. The curriculum has already been developed and beginning this August, the Auditors in the Local Authorities will experience training on a regional basis. This will also facilitate the more robust system of Quarterly Reporting that will be required of the Local Authorities as of this August.” The portfolio Minister made it clear that failure to adhere to existing laws, policies and guidelines will have practical penalties for the Local Authorities. “We …are tying the payment of monies to the Local Authorities, to their strict compliance. In other words, if the laws or rules are broken, a Local Authority will not receive funding.” In stating that there are serious challenges to be overcome in the Local Authorities, Mr. McKenzie revealed that he will be inviting representatives of the political and administrative functionaries to discuss and resolve the issues. “I am publicly inviting the General Secretary of the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO), Mrs. Helene Davis-Whyte, and the President of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) Councillor Scean Barnswell, to meet with the Ministry’s team and myself to discuss the issues, and to resolve them in a spirit of partnership. I will also be seeking audience with the Contractor-General in this regard. Local Government needs good systems, and good people giving good service throughout those systems, to satisfy public needs and raise its public image.”
Message of Monique Barbut Executive Secretary, UNCCD for World Day to Combat Desertification
Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People.
Nearly Half Of The Global Population Was Living Below The Poverty Line In 1980. By 2012 That Number Was Down To About 13%. This means more of us today have the freedom to choose how we live: what we eat or drink, how we spend our time and, even, how we earn our incomes. But ours might be the last generation with such a sizeable global population enjoying these freedoms. Why?
The freedoms we enjoy are made possible by the wide array of land resources we draw on to develop, such as fertile soils, fresh water or the plant and animal life in grasslands and forests. But this freedom to choose has come at a very high price: the degradation of more than 2 billion hectares of all the productive land available to humankind. Today, for every three hectares of land that was productive to start with, one hectare is virtually unusable.
Our inclination to degrade new land instead of fixing and re-using the land that is already degraded means future generations cannot benefit from the same resources. What’s more, the greenhouse gases we emit through our choices are changing the weather patterns so dramatically, they are hastening the destruction of the remaining land resources. Droughts, flashfloods, rainy and hot seasons that are unpredictable, more intense, frequent and widespread are stripping the land bare of its resources faster than ever before.
The rights we claim to enjoy these land resources come with a heavy moral obligation to manage them well. More so, as we may be, literally, the last generation that can significantly slow down the accelerated loss of the land resources left. This generation – our generation – has the time, human, knowledge and financial means to reverse these trends, and restore a vast amount of the degraded lands. But we must work together.
Will we rise to the occasion?
Last year, 193 countries pledged to strive to become land degradation neutral by 2030. It means that you and I made the commitment to maintain the amount of productive land available within our borders during the next 15 years and beyond, or better still, to increase it. If one hectare of land is degraded, we would strive to restore back to health an equal amount of some degraded land.
Ninety countries have already signed up to the challenge and are setting their national targets. This is admirable. But it is not enough when at least 169 countries are affected by land degradation or drought, and all countries are indirectly impacted by them. Actions to avoid, halt and reverse land degradation must begin now with everyone fully engaged. The prospect of a land degradation neutral world grows dimmer if we procrastinate. But it shines brighter each time a person or country joins the campaign to restore degraded land or the battle against the degradation of new land.
Land degradation neutrality should be a top policy goal for every nation that values freedom and choice. Conserving land and restoring that which is degraded back to health is not a benefit that only flows to the billions of people who eke out a living directly from the land. It is a vote to safeguard our own freedoms of choice, and those of our children. It is also a moral standard against which we may well be judged by history.
2016_World Day Message_Monique Barbut