PEART. Cabinet has approved the expenditure of $18.5 million for the drought-stricken areas

A committee comprising representatives of the Ministries of Land and Environment, Agriculture, Health, Local Government and Water and Housing, as well as the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, has been set up by government to monitor the effects of the drought now affecting 11 parishes.

Dean Peart, the minister of land and the environment, who made the announcement at Monday's post-Cabinet press briefing, said the parishes now affected by the drought are:

. Clarendon;
. Westmoreland;
. St James;
. Trelawny;
. Hanover;
. Manchester;
. St Catherine;
. St Thomas;
. St Mary;
. St Ann and parts of St Elizabeth.

Peart told reporters that the committee, which met last week and again Monday, has recommended to Cabinet that government allocate money for the repairs of trucks owned by the Rapid Response Unit of the ministry, to bring back the fleet to the 1995 levels.

At the same time, Peart said Cabinet has approved the expenditure of $18.5 million for the drought-stricken areas.

The money is to be distributed through the Ministry of Land and Environment and monitored by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ministry of Water and Ministry of Local Government.

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS

Pepper Pot