Ansa Chemicals Jamaica has donated 69,800 litres of bleach to help with ongoing sanitisation efforts in communities severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. 

The supplies will be distributed through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

In a continued effort to support public health and safety, the company said that its donation consists of both eight per cent industrial-strength bleach and five per cent household bleach, aimed at ensuring households in remote or isolated areas have access to properly treated water for their use. 

Stephen Summers, country manager of Ansa Chemicals Jamaica, stated that “Ansa Chemicals Jamaica and our parent company, Ansa McAL Chemicals, are committed to aiding the relief and rebuilding effort by providing quality bleach to support sanitation and water treatment in communities severely impacted by Hurricane Melisa. This donation is a part of our ongoing commitment to the people of Jamaica in their time of need.”

The donation includes 50 IBC totes (1,000L each) of eight per cent bleach, totalling 50,000 litres, and 1,800 cases of five per cent household bleach (1.5L containers, six per case), amounting to 10,800 containers and 19,800 litres.

As part of this initiative, Ansa Chemicals plans to deliver between three to five totes per day, in addition to one container of 1,800 cases of household bleach (1.5L bottles). The company aims to distribute these materials efficiently and effectively to ensure timely access to safe water and sanitation resources.

“A storm the size of Hurricane Melissa is not something that any government can manage without partnerships, whether multi-lateral, bi-lateral, the private sector and local NGOs. This is one such partnership, and we’re very happy with the donation from Ansa Chemicals,” shared Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation. “One of the things people don’t contemplate after disasters, until you have a public health crisis, is our ability to keep the place clean and deal with the spread of germs and other similar issues, so we are happy for this donation”.

ODPEM head Commander Alvin Gayle welcomed the contribution, as it helps to strengthen its efforts in managing this public health crisis caused by the passing of the hurricane.

“These cleaning, sanitation and purifying supplies from Ansa Chemicals are quite vital. I think a lot of us underestimate the requirements for sanitation after a disaster, and as such, this will go a long way to ensure that the Jamaican population remains safe after this disaster,” Gayle expressed.