THE Jamaica Red Cross yesterday activated its emergency operation centre at its national headquarters in Central Village, St Catherine, while branches and volunteers were advised to be on standby, in preparation for any effect from Hurricane Dean.

The Red Cross said community disaster response teams, recently trained in disaster response were also asked to prepare their communities.

“Non-food items including tarpaulins, hygiene kits, blankets (adults), water boots, shovels, raincoats, buckets and shelter kits have been distributed to some branches for pre-positioning. The virtual warehouse arrangement with major food companies, Grace Kennedy and Lasco Ltd, have been activated and branches have been advised to make arrangements with local suppliers for access to food supplies should there be restricted road access,” the Red Cross said in a statement yesterday.

In the meantime, the Red Cross said specially trained volunteers, including members of the Red Cross psychosocial programme, water and sanitation and IT specialists, logisticians and relief coordinators, have been pre-positioned to deal with the organisation’s disaster relief.

The Jamaica National Red Cross said, too, that its headquarters was in contact with its regional counterparts – Pan-American Disaster Response Unit and the sub-regional office in Port of Spain – which were prepared to provide additional assistance if necessary.

Red Cross representatives were also asked to liaise with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management