Nutmegs battered
A tour of St. Andrew’s following the passage of Hurricane Ivan shows that the country’s nutmeg industry has taken a severe battering.  The journey through Birch grove, Grand Etang, Vendomme and Beaulieu indicated that most of the nutmeg trees in the areas were grounded and almost lifeless.  For miles and miles in Birch grove and Grand Etang, where a big portion of the nation’s “black gold” is located, the crop seemed to be extinct. There were few trees on their feet with little or no branches. From an economic perspective its looks a pretty grim picture.  Nutmeg accounts for 80 per cent of the country’s agricultural exports. Given the present state, many are saying it could be the end of the industry, while others who are a little more positive, say the nutmeg industry would take a long time to rebound.  In many areas there are terrifying acres of fallen tress scattered around St. Andrew. The rain forest also took a hammering from the Hurricane.  Scores  of trees have  been grounded. Those standing are leaf-less. Like the nutmegs, they too look a terrible sight. However, there’s hope that they would regain life and regain some of their old beauty.  A team from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency - which is keen to produce a documentary on the destruction of Grenada by Hurricane Ivan, is shocked and terrified by the findings. The team was horrified at the destruction of the nutmeg Industry done by Ivan, following a tour of St. Andrew on Sunday.  CDERA wants to use the documentary as a teaching tool in community disaster preparedness in the Caribbean.  The team comprised- Public Education and Information Specialist Terry Ally, a Television Producer from Warm Water Productions and PAHO’s Communication consultant Clare Forrester.

Barbados guides provide support
The Fifth Barbados Ranger Guides has also contributed to the relief process in Grenada.  A five-member team, headed by Ruth Parris spent Saturday distributing supplies in the parish of St. David.  St. David and St. George were hardest hit by Ivan the Terrible. The Leo Club of Barbados also contributed to the warm gesture. They provided sixty packages for families of four and other items.  The supplies included tuna, sardines, biscuits, water, rice and pasta. Parris says the relief effort will continue in Grenada, since the drive to collect more items is being done at home in Bridgetown.

              
600 receive free health care
Over 600 people have benefited from the free medical services provided over the weekend, by the Rotary Clubs of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Locals took the opportunity and crowded the Grand Bras Medical Centre in St. Andrew and the St. George’s Health Centre for the exercise.  Services were provided in paediatrics, dentistry, obstetrics/gynaecology, psychology and general medicine.  One of the persons behind the venture, Dr. Collin Boyle, President of the Rotary Club in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said they were happy to help the people of Grenada in these trying times. He said his organization will monitor the situation in Grenada and will be happy to assist again if the need arises.  Boyle said the venture,including medical supplies and relief items, costs is in excess of sixty thousand dollars. The Rotary club of St. Vincent and the Grenadines also provided assistance to school for special education. The Club brought in 25 Vincentian workers, over the weekend, who built a new roof for the school.           

Biggest challenge
Prime Minister Dr The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, says the rebuilding of the country, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, is the biggest challenge the country has ever faced in modern times.  He told reporters in St. George’s last Friday, that with 90 per cent of homes destroyed or partially damaged, tourism and agriculture almost brought to a standstill and utilities severely affected, the country has a gigantic task to get back on its feet.  Dr. Mitchell said the people have also been psychologically damaged after waking up the next day to see almost everything flattened.   But Prime Minister Mitchell is heartened by what he says is a transformation taking place in the country at this time.  The "nutmeg smiles", he says, are now returning, as people go about in high spirits rebuilding the country.  He’s confident that with the overwhelming support being obtained from regional and international countries and donor agencies and the resilience of the Grenadian people, that the country will be a more vibrant and prosperous nation.

Ivan causes damage in excess of two billion dollars
An international impact damage assessment team, has put at over EC$2 billion the cost of damages inflicted on Grenada, by Hurricane Ivan.  But Prime Minister Mitchell is of the opinion that the figure is conservative and that the true estimate could way higher.  Dr. Mitchell did not elaborate, but said some factors were not taken into consideration.  Prime Minister Mitchell is today discussing the issue of support for the reconstruction of the country, with the donor agencies in Washington.  He told the press before his departure for the United States that he would be making a strong case for additional support.  The damage he says is about two and a half times the Gross Domestic Product of the country.  Dr. Mitchell will also be meeting with US officials and Secretary General of the United Nations Koffi Anan, while in the United States.  He’s expecting a significant aid package from the United States. The US Government is preparing a US$15 million package for the three Caribbean countries worst affected by the hurricane: Grenada, Jamaica, and Haiti.  The United Nations has also promised to provide a financial package to Grenada worth US$25 million to help in the reconstruction and re-development of the country.

Galvanize productions
The busiest sector in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan – construction – will soon to get a much-needed boost.  A Trinidad and Tobago company, producing galvanize, is eager to set up shop here.  An official of the Trinidad and Tobago manufacturing sector, said  the company will be arriving here shortly with facilities to manufacture galvanize.  Local officials are happy with the news, since they say an abundant supply of galvanize is needed to repair the thousands of roofs that were destroyed by Ivan.  The Trinidad and Tobago officials said the price of the commodity would be quite affordable.  Hurricane Ivan is said to have destroyed 90 per cent of the country’s 33,000 households.

Schools being sanitized
The nation’s schools are being sanitized this week, as plans to have them reopen after the passage of Hurricane Ivan, intensifies.  Education Minister the Honourable Clarice Charles says bleach will be used in the sanitization process, to ensure that the schools are properly cleaned and ready for classes.  Minister Charles says that efforts are also been made to remove people from the schools being used as shelters to adequate places.  Education officials want to have classes resumed by October 14th, 2000.  She says it’s a difficult task, but a concerted effort is being made to reopen schools by the middle of the month,  even if it means employing a shift system.  Minister Charles says UNICEF has agreed to provide tarpaulins and tents to help relocate some of the students, until the reconstruction of the schools is completed.  The education minister said during a news conference on Friday in St. George’s, that the Venezuelan contingent, which has been helping in the clean up and restoration process, wants to  rehabilitate 23 schools and make them ready by the middle of the month.

Time for CXC exams
Local students writing the 2004 CXC examinations, could get an extension to prepare, following the setback caused by Hurricane Ivan.  Ivan the Terrible, which destroyed most of the nation’s schools, halted classes for almost a month. Education officials say they have been speaking with CXC officials about postponing the examinations for Grenadian students until a later date to allow students time to catch up on their studies. Officials are also discussing the provision of school books as many were destroyed or severely damaged by the hurricane. Education Minister Clarice Charles says they are also attempting now more than ever to have the schools feeding programme up and running.  Over 30,000 students from primary and secondary schools depend on the schools feeding programme, which becomes even more important in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

Solid waste team from Trinidad and Tobago arrive
A solid waste team of team of 100 workers from Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company is expected in Grenada today to help clean up the country, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. The team is travelling with heavy duty equipment to help effectively dispose of the tons of garbage generated by the hurricane.  The company will also be recruiting 200 local workers for the job, which would last for three months initially.  A number of wielders, plumbers, masons, carpenters electricians, and cooks among others are in the workforce from Trinidad and Tobago.  The project is costing the Trinidad and Tobago company TT$3 million.