Urgent call for stronger disaster preparedness and communication during hurricane threats
/ Our Today
administrator
The Jamaica Charity for the Homeless and Disabled is calling for immediate improvements in disaster preparedness and communication among local authorities following widespread challenges observed during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The organisation says gaps in coordination between school principals, municipal authorities, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) left many evacuees facing unsafe and undignified conditions in shelters across the island.
During visits to several shelters, the charity observed that some facilities were closed with little notice, while others lacked essential resources such as beds, flashlights, generators, and privacy partitions. Shelter managers also reported feeling unsupported and unprepared, citing inadequate training and poor communication from relevant agencies.
“Shelterees should never be made to feel unsafe or neglected in their time of greatest need,” said Cleon Porter, Executive Director of the Jamaica Charity for the Homeless and Disabled. “These failures highlight a systemic weakness in our emergency response framework that must be corrected before the next disaster.”
The organisation outlined several recommendations, including the recruitment of disability consultants for emergency committees, stationing medical personnel at shelters, annual training for shelter managers, and dedicated national funding for shelter upgrades to include accessible bathrooms and other key amenities.
It also urged authorities to ensure the timely deployment of shelter managers and pre-positioned supplies before evacuations begin.
“Addressing these issues now will save lives, restore public confidence, and ensure that Jamaica’s most vulnerable are protected during future storms,” Porter added.
Comments