| Government offers condolences On behalf of the Government of Grenada, Minister responsible for the National Emergency Relief Organization Senator Brenda Hood has has offered its condolences to the family of the victims. Minister Hood says the government will do all it can to assist the bereaved families. She was speaking as she released the names of 29 victims of Hurricane Ivan. According to Minister Hood the youngest person among the fatalities was a three month old Alicia Beggs of Beaulieu, North East St. George and the oldest is William Peterkin of St. Paul’s. He was 89 years old. The list of those identified so far is below. Enquires about this list can be made directly to +473-440-0838.
Almost 60-thousand gets relief Almost sixty thousand persons have received relief from the National Emergency Relief Organization, the Red Cross, and the Rotary Club and church groups – that’s according Supply management (SUMA) records. At its Wednesday briefing Director of the National Emergency Organization Sylvan McIntyre said that supplies include water, food stuff, and medical supplies among others. Chairman of the Food Relief Community Veda Bruno-Victor says that the committee is meeting coordinators in each parish to ensure a most efficient distribution of food. Tomorrow Thursday Bruno-Victor says that the key areas of food distribution are North East St. George, South St. George, and North West St. George. A helicopter will bring food supplies for residents of Willis, New Hampshire, Mardigras and surrounding areas. The Trinidad and Tobago defence Force is providing security and assistance in the coordination and distribution of the relief. The Rotary Club of Barbados along with their Grenadian counterparts will also be distributing food in St. Andrew on Thursday. Prime Minister Patterson horrified by Ivan's terror Prime Minister P.J Patterson has described as ‘terrifying’ the damages caused by Hurricane Ivan, which battered the country on September 7th 2004. The Jamaican leader, who was taken on a half-hour tour of the country this afternoon, said he was shocked at the extent of the damage. Patterson said he was surprised that there were not many more deaths. He says it is important that from a psychological perspective, that the population moves quickly to clean up the debris and scars caused by the hurricane. The thirty-minute tour took the Jamaican leader from the Tanteen playing field, up the Western side of the island through St. John, St. Mark, St. Patrick, St. Andrew, St. David, the Southern part of St. George and back to the Tanteen Playing Field. Despite bearing some of the fury of the killer hurricane, Mr Patterson has pledged to assist Grenada recover from the ravage of Hurricane Ivan. He said that while he cannot provide financial or security assistance at this time, his country will be able to lend a hand in the rebuilding process. Jamaica he said would be able to provide technical support to help Grenada get its solid waste management fully functioning among other things. The Jamaican Prime Minister said that Grenada and other regional countries have to revisit their building codes to ensure that buildings could be more resistant to hurricanes and other disasters. Prime Minister Patterson also met with a delegation from the opposition National Democratic Congress led by its leader Tillman Thomas. Minister meets media Minister responsible for the National Emergency Relief Organization Brenda Hood will update the regional media on the work being done to meet the challenges of Hurricane Ivan. Minister Hood along with director of the National Emergency Relief Organization (NERO) Sylvan McIntyre and UNDP Communications Consultant, Jennifer Hosten will speak to the Media in Barbados tomorrow. The Barbados Media, especially CBC radio 900, have been Grenada’s main sources of information following the Hurricane which shutdown all radio and television stations on the island. Social programs to help victims The Ministry of Social Development is staging a series of programs to assist families and persons in shelters to cope with the extreme trauma caused by Hurricane Ivan. Permanent Secretary Eunice Sandy-David says the staff of her Ministry is working in each parish to lend support. To date the following has been decided and/or implemented:-
Returning Shelter victims to their homes The Shelter Management Committee is working to return almost one hundred eighty persons to their homes in the coming week. These persons from the Constituency of South St. George are staying in two Hotels – the Fox Inn in Calliste and the South City Plaza, a stone throw from the Grand Anse beach. They were forced to seek refuge in the two hotels south of the Island after their homes were destroyed by the powerful winds of Hurricane Ivan on September 7. However, with the winter season starting in October the owners of the two hotels need to commence work on their buildings. Shelter management Committee Chairman Julien Ogilvie says a survey would be done to assess the homes of the shelter victims that can be repaired and thus provide them with assistance. New shelters will be identified to accommodate persons whose homes were completely destroyed by the Hurricane. The Shelter victims in Fox Inn Hotel are mainly from the Calliste/ Frequente areas while those at South City Plaza are from the Grand Anse/ Grand Anse Valley communities. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell: "Grenada gradually recovering" Speaking at Wednesday’ evening briefing session Dr, Mitchell expressed sincere appreciation to the many regional and international organizations which are helping in the reconstruction of the country. The Prime Minister told the various representatives that their contributions have already made a significant impact on the lives of the people. He said Grenada will forever be grateful to the respective agencies that have sent personnel to work and help bring comfort to the population in so many areas – health, water supply, food. Dr. Mitchell said that he is heartened by the strong community spirit prevailing in the various communities at this time. |