RESIDENTS IN VULNERABLE AREAS ENCOURAGED TO EVACUATE
While speaking at a Special Press Briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management on Sunday (October 27), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie once again called on residents of vulnerable communities to take heed and relocate to shelters as hurricane Melissa (now at Category 4) intensifies.
Minister McKenzie highlighted that some members of the homeless population are opting out of going into the shelters, however he asked that they do not take this Hurricane nor the Warnings lightly. He pointed to one instance where a homeless man in the Harbour View area was offered assistance by Secretary of the Board of Supervision and the Inspector of the Poor as a part of their Assertive Team initiative, but he refused.
“ I notice that a lot of people is criticizing the government because one homeless man in the harbor view area who got personal attention from the Inspector of Poor and the Secretary of the Board of Supervision who went out and engaged him in lengthy conversation trying to convince him it is in his best interest to go to the shelters and he refused,” he said.
“We have made all the necessary provisions to remove the homeless population. We provided public transport to take them to the various facilities right across center and we will continue to do so as long conditions allow us to do so,” he added.
The Minister went on to address other instances of reluctance and urged residents to comply with the recommendation to move, while reiterating that the government has made every effort to get the cooperation from citizens living in flood prone and otherwise vulnerable communities.
“I don’t think we need an order to move from the areas that we know are vulnerable communities. Very encouraging, despite there are still persons in Port Royal who don’t want to leave, the Member of Parliament, Philip Paulwell called me last night to say that a significant number of persons in Port Royal have started to move around, left the community,”
He was addressing the mandatory movement order that he signed.
“It is not too late, if you having problems to move, call the ODPEM, numbers are available, we will assist with you if you are having problems in moving…when this event comes, it is going to be impossible after all the attempts that we have been making”, the Minister stated.
In less than 24 hours, the system upgraded from a category 1 hurricane to a category 4 system and is predicted to pass directly over Jamaica.