THE preliminary figure from damage suffered from Hurricane Ivan was yesterday put at J$22.4 billion (US$362 million).

However, Prime Minister P J Patterson said the figure was almost certain to “understate the actual impact” of the hurricane. He said that the final figures were anticipated in about two weeks, as assessments were still being done.

But, the prime minister told reporters at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing that he was releasing the preliminary estimates so that the country could have some indication, at this point, as to the ball park of monetary damage suffered as a result of the hurricane that battered the island just over three weeks ago.

He said that direct damage was estimated at $18.57 billion (US$300 million) and indirect losses at $3.87 billion (US$62 million). The figures represent damage amounting to 4.8 per cent of the country’s GDP, with direct damage at 3.9 per cent and indirect at 0.9 per cent.

“Damage assessment is still being carried out in most sectors, but we have significant gaps in infrastructure, particularly as they relate to housing and utilities and in tourism, hence the preliminary estimate is likely, if not certain, to understate the actual impact,” the prime minister pointed out.

“We will be releasing, in due course, a summary of the damage, sector by sector, and we expect the final work to be completed within two weeks, at which time we will be able to arrive at exact figures, not only in total numbers, but sector by sector, area by area. I think that the country is entitled to have some indication, at this stage, as to the ball park of monetary damage that we have suffered as a result of Hurricane Ivan,” he said.

Patterson said that the assessment was being anchored by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The information was gleaned from the figures of government agencies, private insurance companies, businesses, and the manufacturing, commercial, tourism and bauxite industries.

The methodology being applied is based on a framework recommended by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in America, and is considered the most modern and accurate and most likely to be recognised by hemispheric institutions and the international community, he added.

He said that in making the calculations, they looked at the direct effects on assets, the flows from the production of goods and services, which may be called the indirect effect, and the macro economic effect.

Giving an update on the relief programme, Patterson said that 63,867 families have been assessed. Additional personnel from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have been assigned to beef up the assessment team in St. Elizabeth.

As at October 1, data showed that 12 per cent of houses assessed were completely destroyed, 82 per cent had damage to roof or wall and six per cent had minor damage. One percent lost tools of trade, 35 per cent lost livestock and 40 per cent lost crops.

Twenty nine shelters are still open with 310 persons. These include Portland Cottage Primary School and the Old Harbour community centre.

Meanwhile, Patterson said that 90 per cent of Jamaica Public Service(JPS) Company customers had been reconnected and 94.5 per cent of National Water Commission (NWC) customers.